ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - December 22, 2025

Episode Date: December 23, 2025

Eyewitness News at 11pm - December 22, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, preparing you for tomorrow starting tonight and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. Right now at 11, the holiday travel rush is in full swing from the train to the roads and high in the sky. Millions are preparing to leave home to spend the holidays with those they love. And the good news, anyone staying in the triangle or coming to visit here, is in for a treat when it comes to weather. Temperatures are expected to stay mild as we prepare for the start of another new year. Thanks so much for joining us here for the news at 11. I'm Lauren Johnson.

Steve is off tonight. While some parts of the nation are dealing with some holiday rain here at home, you really couldn't ask for better weather this holiday week. Let's get right over to meteorologist Don Twinnaker. Don, this is a good week to get outside. Absolutely. The only chance of showers would be early tomorrow morning. talk about that in just a moment to not seeing anything out there tonight and basically it'll be from the triangle north just a hit or miss shower through about nine o'clock then it clears out temperature is mild across the region 41 right now raleigh carry 37 down in fukeway 36 willow spring and clayton 39 in wake forest 37 roanocrapids louisburg oxford 39 in roxborough you still have some forties down south in clinton and fayetteville 36 in pinehurst and 36 in goalsborough so let's talk about the next couple of days as we head into the holiday and what a stretch it is. Tomorrow there is a chance only a 20% chance from the

triangle north of seeing a spotty shower. Most of you will not see rain and by the afternoon sunshine winds out. It will be windy though throughout the day. Christmas Eve warming up to almost 70 degrees. Christmas Eve temperatures falling through the 60s Christmas Day looks nice too with temperatures near 70. We do see colder air working in though. We'll talk about that in your first alert seven day forecast coming up in just a bit. Lauren. All right. Don, thank you. airports and roads are packed as millions are traveling. But this year, it's happening as a major winter storm causes some deadly flooding and more dangerous flash flooding. Heavy downpours killed a person north of Sacramento. Meanwhile, major cities from Detroit to New York and Boston

are bracing for a blast of rain and snow. And if you are driving, gas prices are cheaper compared to last year. The average cost in North Carolina is $2.65. That's down 18 cents from last year. We are following breaking news from Texas. Five people are confirmed dead after a plane crashed near Galveston. A Mexican Navy official confirmed to ABC News the plane belonged to its institution and was on a medical support mission when it experienced an accident. Eight people were on board the plane when it crashed. Five were killed. Two were found alive and tonight one person is still missing.

Officials have not revealed why that plane went down. Also breaking tonight, the Department of Education says it will review safety protocols at Brown. University. It follows the mass shooting earlier this month that left two students dead and hurt nine others. In a news release, the DOE says it will investigate whether the school violated an act requiring universities meet certain campus safety and security requirements in order to receive federal student aid. The news comes after Brown placed its university police chief on administrative leave while an action review of the shooting takes place.

In Fuqua Verena, first responders were on scene of a house fire. It happened inside a home. on Fannie Brown Road at this time, it's not clear if anyone was hurt. A grieving mother and sister speaking to eyewitness news in the midst of unimaginable heartbreak tonight. 13-year-old Jaliyah Toon was shot and killed yesterday in Goldsboro and now a group of teenage boys are facing murder charges. Police say that 13-year-old was killed just after 4.30 Sunday afternoon in the 200 block of Alpha Court.

Jalya's 14-year-old sister told our Akela Davis they walked with friends to get food on the way back home a group of boys she didn't know jumped out the bushes and started shooting she looked so scared like I was scared myself because I hate to see her like that and it was like all my hands I didn't want to wipe it off because I was still felt her present now I still felt that she was with me in Durham a man is dead after being shot early this morning it happened around 5 a.m. on a rosely drive the Durham County Sheriff's Office I identified. The victim is 54-year-old John Tyler. Investigators say Tyler was shot inside a home by a person who also lived there. 50-year-old Joseph Stevens has been charged with first-degree murder. WakeMed issuing new restrictions on visitors as we enter the peak of respiratory illness season. As of today, children younger than 12 years old will not be allowed to visit patients in wake-med hospital units, patient care areas, and waiting rooms.

The restrictions are in effect at all wake-med facilities. Officials say the move will have. help reduce the spread of respiratory illness, like flu and RSV. As millions travel for the holidays, it's important to take any necessary measures to prevent yourself from getting sick. Doctors say it's important to get vaccinated against the flu. They also encourage proper hygiene, like washing your hands, not touching your face and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. And of course, if you feel sick, it's important to either stay home or stay away from others. With Christmas just days away, Witness News is sitting down tonight with the family of Fidel Rivera. He's the undocumented Rollsville man who self-deported earlier this year amid fears over the growing immigration crackdown. Sean Coffey joins us live in downtown Rale with more on the family's first holiday without Fidel. A really challenging time for the Rivera family. Fidel's wife, Jenny, was able to spend Thanksgiving with him in Mexico, but their teenage daughters stayed here in the States. This Christmas, the entire family is staying here in the U.S. And tonight we spoke with the family.

about their new reality. My kids deserve to be able to have both their parents. We were a unit of four, always together. It's sad. I feel sad for them. For the Rivera family, Jenny, Fidel, and their two daughters, McKenzie and Isabella, Christmas is usually family time, a chance to play games, craft, watch movies, but most importantly, be together. It's just not the same.

It's, you know, it's the things that we built together are not the same. This year, there's a new reality for the Rivera's after Fidel chose to self-deport to Mexico in October amid the national immigration crackdown. We can't go in the line with you. That's a choice, Jenny, Fidel's wife of 17 years, said was agonizing, but one they made to avoid a worst-case scenario. I didn't want to have him go into one of these facilities. I didn't want him to experience any of the horrors that we had heard about, and I didn't want him to come out, not the person that he was when he went in. Fidel had been in the U.S. for 30 years without legal status, working in construction, and paying taxes. But since he entered the country without authorization, he cannot adjust his legal status, even though Jennifer and his daughters are U.S. citizens.

That means his best chance to return is to stay in Mexico for at least 10 years, then reapply for legal status because of his marriage to Jenny. But it also means he'll miss out on these moments, from Christmas to soccer games to graduations. I know that he should have been here. Like, he should have been here for that with her. he should be here right now. For his daughters, 15-year-old Isabella and 17-year-old McKenzie, it's a Christmas that looks and feels incomplete. We have traditions that have been since I've been born,

and they're not even the same. We took more longer to set up anything, and as you can see, there's no lights outside because usually he would do all the lights outside. One they know, not everyone will have to live through. Everybody gets to have their parents or like their guardian with them. And we don't, like, how is that fair?

Tonight, the family, hoping their story can create change and leaning on each other that much more. I'm thankful for my family, and I want, like, other people to be thankful for, like, what they have. But, like, some people have too much or can do more, and my family needs some more help. Fidel is currently living in the Yucatan city of Merida, and Jenny says the family is currently in the process

of buying a house there, But she says in the meantime, they can likely only afford to go down and visit as a group once a year. In Rale, Sean Coffey, ABC 11, eyewitness news. And ABC News has been following Fidel's story since the beginning. You can watch the full story right now on ABC11.com. Still to come here at 11, are you the nation's newest millionaire? The Powerball numbers have officially been released. We'll show you those after the break.

And giving back for the holidays, how people in Durham are taking time to help their neighbors this Christmas season. And Don, the check of the temperatures outside. I can tell you who's not a millionaire. You, me, we're still here. Let's talk about those temperatures tonight above freezing in the 40s. We're going to talk about some warmer air the next couple of days and a chance for some rain. We'll tell you about it next. Reason number 37 why Nissan is built for our winter.

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We have the numbers that are right there on your screen. They are three, 18, 36, 41, 54, and the power ball is seven. Tonight's jackpot is worth a whopping $1.6 billion. It's the fourth largest jackpot in-game history, and it's been growing since the last winter back in September. For some players, a chance at winning means a chance at generational opportunities. Oh, my gosh, yes. Yes, it would be a wonderful gift. I will start my own business.

I will make sure that my family has their own home. I would just make sure everybody is well taken care of. Same. The cash prize in tonight's drawing is just over $700 million. So good luck to everyone who played. The North Carolina DMV preparing to open several new locations. Today the agency opened an office in the town of Garland in Samson County. It's the smallest of the four offices.

The other three locations will be larger and serve faster growing parts of Brunswick Cabarras and Wake counties. Those offices will open in February. Flags were lowered to have staff in honor of former Governor Jim Hunt. Governor Josh Stein has ordered all American and North Carolina flags to remain lowered through sunset on Friday. Funeral services for Governor Hunt will be held Friday afternoon at the first Presbyterian Church in Wilson. Hunt was North Carolina's longest serving governor. He passed away last week at the age of 88. Christmas came a little Well early for some families in Durham today is about 150 children received bags full of toys donated by people in the community. It's a toy drive that started nearly 30 years ago by three attorneys in Durham.

The toys were collected on Friday and by Saturday morning the gifts were organized and bagged up for families to pick up today. The attorneys partnered with several community groups, including the Ha-Tai Reborn Justice Movement. Organizers say the community showed up in a big way. The community is giving, and I've seen that they've stepped up there giving. I think being mindful that these are tough times and not really sure what to expect going forward. So that just warms my heart that people have just really dug deep to show love. And for families without transportation, organizers tell us they will deliver the toys directly to them. The Durham Rescue Mission preparing for the annual Christmas community dinner and toy giveaway.

This is a look at the volunteers, packing the toys and groceries and cooking that food for tomorrow's meal. It's an effort the CEO says is designed to help those who need it most. We are making memories and making childhood better for children that wouldn't otherwise be. And we got so many kids even here at the rescue mission that would not have a Christmas, wouldn't have anything without what's happening here at the rest of the commission. Tomorrow will be a big day for children that don't have what they need for Christmas. Volunteers will be back at 5 a.m. tomorrow to begin slicing turkey, cooking up veggies and setting the table. Doors at the rescue mission on East Main Street will open at 11 a.m. That meal will be served at noon.

A holiday act of kindness is warming hearts this season. One mother's tribute to her late son through a Christmas angel tree has now created an unexpected bond between two families. Penelope Lopez sat down with both mothers to share a story of how a generous gesture became an unforgettable connection. It all started when Tanya Estrada turned to TikTok, asking strangers to help locate the woman who left a heartfelt note on the gifts donated to her son. Today they met in person for the first time. This is the moment. Tanya Estrada embraces the woman who helped make her three-year-old son's Angel Tree Christmas

wish come true. I knew I had to find her. I know the church didn't have information of her. So I have seen, you know, people try to reach out to other people on TikTok. So I'm like, you know what, let me use TikTok for something good. And she did just that. So I need your help. Her video racked up more than 600,000 views, eventually leading her to Andrea Gardner,

the mother behind the gifts, who donated in honor of her late three-year-old son Tristan. It was like I was shopping for him. because I don't get to shop for him for Christmas or birthdays so it made me feel good to be able to shop for a three-year-old little boy and the bond grew stronger as the two mothers shared a connection rooted in love and loss I'm very thankful that you and I wasn't expecting anything out of this just his Christmas you know know, in helping you and making you feel like somebody cares. But I am so thankful for you putting Tristan's name out there

and letting other people know about him. The fact that even in her grieving moment, you went out of your way to bless another child. You don't even know. I could not, I could not do it. It takes a very strong woman to do what you did. And Tanya said that she was so moved by the experience, she's now compelled to give back next year.

Reporting in Fayetteville, Penelope Lopez, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Penelope, thank you. That was our best story today, I feel like, reminding all of us to be grateful. Yeah, if you're having a bad Christmas, it may not be as bad as you think. Right. But if you do need help and you're out there, you reach out. you know get to help yeah because it's not always a happy holiday for everybody very true so nine eight eight that's what you can dial if you're having trouble tonight all right let's

show you what's happening out there live look at the seven day forecast powered by acuweather we'll see those temperatures in the 60s every day until next monday and then boom the bottom drops out we will get some cooler air to round out 2025 live look at our first alert doppler net tonight scanning the skies not seeing any rainfall out there we'll go live into downtown Fayetteville self-help sky cam 41 degrees right now clear skies on a southeast wind at five miles per hour manny owner murphy tonight and uh mild night across the state everybody above freezing 39 at the coast 39 out in boone 37 right now down at ecu 41 in the triad 36 in lumberton chase city checks in at 41 degrees let's show you what's happening as far as

the tonight we'll drop into the 30s for lows clear skies as we head through the overnight hours. Now your satellite radar composite does show a few clouds working through. We do have to watch for showers out here. A little bit of a system pushing through the mountains. If we zoom it out, you can see those showers extending back into parts of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee tonight. This is all going to slide east. We're not going to see much out of it, but you could wake up to a stray shower. First alert, predictor forecast model. We'll run this ahead until about 8 o'clock. Notice the best chance of seeing any rain is north and east of the triangle. I think this is overdoing a little bit. That said, there'll be some hit or miss showers to start your day. But as we get toward the

afternoon, skies will clear out. Wind swing out of the southwest. It's going to be extremely windy tomorrow. Winds could gusts 30 plus miles an hour with temperatures in the 60s. As we go through tomorrow night into Christmas Eve morning, we'll start today in the 50s. So a warmer start your day and that means a warmer end to the day. As we head toward the afternoon on Christmas Eve, look at some of those numbers. Getting awfully close to 70 down in the sand hills will be in the 60s across much of the region. And then as we go, into Christmas Eve, 7 o'clock. You're driving around looking at lights,

headed to your church service or just hanging out with family. Temperatures will be in the 50s for a mild overnight. The model does try to develop an isolated shower, Christmas morning up to the north and east. I'm not buying this just yet.

We'll have a better look at this and have a much better idea whether you'd see rain on Christmas morning, north and east of the triangle. At this point, not a high chance. And then once that presses out of here,

we warm it back up as we head through your Christmas holiday. Let's check on the latest surface map and looking ahead and you can see this high pressure off to the south front dropping through we're very warm and mild on Wednesday and as we go into Thursday we stay warm and mild as that warm air surges up from the south we'll be in the 60 70s down in Atlanta on Christmas day forecast looks like this for tomorrow temperature 61 degrees that morning shower is possible followed by late day sunshine and again the winds in the afternoon we'll gust 30 plus miles an hour if you've got

inflatables on your lawn they could end up on the neighbor's lawn if they're not Tide down. First alert seven-day forecast powered by ACU. There's 68 on Wednesday. Christmas day, 69. Warm, pleasant winds have died down. Friday, first evening of Kwanza, 67, looking good there. Cloudy skies, though, still staying mild. Saturday, if you're going to the Canes game, great tail-getting weather with temperatures in the 60s, Sunday, 66, and Monday feeling like a hockey night in Raleigh, as we see temperatures back into the 40s for highs and we'll go below freezing on the next week. So very nice holiday week. And then as we round out 2025, it gets a little bit colder around here. All right, Don, what I heard is tie down your yard art and be a good neighbor.

You're going to need that tomorrow. Absolutely. All right, Don, thank you. Sure. All right, as we wind down the year, ABC News is looking back at the biggest breakout stars, heroes and newsmakers that had everyone talking. Join Good Morning America. Co-anchor Robin Roberts for the year in special the year 2025. It airs Monday, December 29th at 8 p.m. here on ABC 11 and streaming the next day on Disney Plus and Hulu. And then join us next Wednesday night as we ring in the new year. Tune in for Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve with Ryan Seacrest. That fun starts at 8 o'clock.

New Year's Eve right here on ABC 11. Well, you got a good one tonight. I think I was 14 when dad and I had our birds and bees talk. He goes, hey, buddy, drop your pants. Let's see what you got. That's a fact. Good so far. That's a fact.

A life-changing surprise for an injured Army veteran in Hope Mills, U.S. Army First Sergeant John Mike Fairfax thought he was getting just a home makeover, but the Tunnel to Towers Foundation surprised him, paying off his entire mortgage. Sergeant Fairfax lost his leg in 2005 during his third deployment to Afghanistan. The home renovations include an ADA-compliant kitchen, reconfigured laundry room, automatic doors with push-button operation, and a lift. from the garage to the main floor. This home rededication is part of the tunnel to tower's annual effort to deliver 50 mortgage-free homes to America's heroes in the 24 days leading up to Christmas Eve. ABC 11 and Whitley law firm are paying tribute to our everyday heroes. Those who are currently serving or who have previously served in the armed forces.

You can nominate your hero for their chance to be featured here on IWITM. Your Business doesn't move in a straight line. Some days bring growth, others bring challenges. But what if you or a partner needs to step away? When the unexpected happens, Count on Canada Life's flexible life and health insurance to help your business keep working even when you can't. Don't let life's challenges stand in the way of your success. Protect what you've built today.

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the I'm going to be. We're going to be able to be. You know, We're going to be able to be. We're going to be able to be. We're going to be.

Chapp. Chapp. So, yeah. We're going to be able to be. We're going to be able to be. I'm going to be able to be. Johnson, what a cool story from the NC state legend proven that at 44 years old,

you can keep following your dreams. All right, I'm 44. I'll listen to him. We're just getting started, right? Kate, thank you. And thank you at home for watching. That's going to do it for us. Jimmy Kimmel Live is up next. Have a great night. And stay safe. ABC 11 eyewitness news is sponsored by Capitol Chevrolet. Together, let's...