ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - February 3, 2026

Episode Date: February 4, 2026

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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. Tonight on eyewitness news as we slowly get back to normal following back-to-back weekend storms. Mother Nature is not done with us yet. A cold rain and some light snow we're in the forecast for tomorrow. The purple you see there, that's snow and that pink area. That's a wintry mix. That'll be happening tomorrow evening into the overnight hours. Thanks for joining us here for the news at 11. I'm Steve Daniels.

And I'm Lauren Johnson. Let's go straight to chief meteorologist Don Schweniker in the First Alert forecast center, timing out the impacts of this new wave of weather. Hi, Don. And good evening to you. Yeah, we are seeing a little bit of precipitation up north as well right now. Most of this is not making it to the ground. But if we zoom in on the first alert, Doppler net, you can see up around South Hill,

Virginia, some pink and blue showing up there. That would be there some snowflakes, some wintry mix or just rain, if any of the it's making it to the ground and it's not a ton because it's pretty dry out there right now. But that will continue to fall through the overnight. We'll see these spotty showers. Look at your first alert predictive forecast model. As we go through the overnight, the showers turn mainly to rain. Those temperatures staying just above freezing mid-30s down in the sandhills.

This is 8 o'clock tomorrow morning and just some scattered hit or miss showers around. Now we walk you through the day and by 4 o'clock you can see a heavier band of showers working through the southern counties. And that's what we'll have to watch for some heavy rain as kids. at home. And then tomorrow night by 10 o'clock, we've got a little bit of a wintry mix up here to the north. It dissipates as we go through the overnight and it moves out. We're not talking much from the triangle on south, flakes to a dusting on some of the grassy areas up to the north, quarter inch, maybe half inch or inch in the highest elevations are the on grassy areas as well in the northernmost part of our viewing area. Again, not a huge deal. National Weather Service

not issuing any advisories or warnings. But we'll keep an eye on it. We'll time it out for you. And once this gets out of here, we warm it up. Seven day forecast. coming up. Steve. Yeah, that sounds great, Don. Thanks. All right, last weekend, storm continues impacting a number of school districts in the area. Wait County schools are operating on a two-hour delay tomorrow. Durham Public Schools and Chapel Hill, Carborough City Schools, they are back to normal tomorrow. But Orange County Schools and Warren County Schools, they are closed. Johnson County and Cumberland County Schools will have remote learning days. You can find a complete list of closings and delays at our website, ABC11.com. Several communities are dealing with water issues related to

the recent winter weather. One of those. is the town of Nashville. New tonight, officials there say the water slowly coming back after being shut off by a water main break. It's expected to be back by midnight and a water boil advisory is now in effect. Tom George went to Nashville to talk with people who had a difficult afternoon. Well, this was a frustrating situation for people around Nashville. Some people couldn't take a shower at home. They noticed their water going out then. They left their homes only to find a lot of restaurants around town also having to close and many left wondering when that water would come back.

But everybody closed because there's no water in Nashville. Antonio Savage says he came home from work only to find his water not running. I mean, she can't use it bad through. I can't use it back through. I can't even take a shower. So what are they going to do about it? Around town, from sheets to Zaxbys to cookout, we saw restaurants closing their doors. As people around town were looking for anywhere, the water might still be working,

as their own water pressure solely went away. We need our water, we need to wash dishes, shower, anything goes. Like, we need water regardless. regardless. We were there as crews worked into the night trying to fix a water valve that broke causing the town-wide issues. Well, the water valves are leveled with the street surface and they have a cap on them and it'll be like water bubbling up. I mean, it's not a geyser, but it is water coming up that'll fill a road ditch pretty quick. This all happening because of some sort of water leak, but in the process of fixing that, additional valves became loose. The town manager telling us he

believes this was a coincidence and didn't have anything to do with the recent storms and says they're working to make improvements to the system. Well, you know, it's an aging system. Our infrastructure isn't new, and this was in one of the older parts of town. So one of those things where it doesn't leak until you turn it or mess with it and then begins leaking. So that was the cause of it. But some hoping this doesn't happen again. They need to fix it.

Like, we pay our water bills all the time. In Nashville, Tom George, ABC 11, eyewitness news. The sentencing hearing for Heddingham mass shooting, mass shooter, Austin Thompson, continues tomorrow. Today we heard heart-wrenching testimony from the family members of his victims. That includes the wife of Raleigh police officer Gabe Torres. Jasmine Torres described the moment she found her husband suffering from several gunshot wounds in his car. And we want to warn you, this is difficult to hear. I tried to stop bleeding.

So I had my fingers in every wound that I could get to. and I used my other hand to prop up his neck because he kept falling down and I wanted to keep his airway as as open as it could I was trying to help him so that he could because his lips were turning blue

but he was alive because I felt his pulse when I had my fingers he was alive Today we also heard from Officer Torres's friend and neighbor. Dustin Poole says he witnessed Thompson shooting Torres and then Thompson turned in his direction. Pointed the gun directly at me. And at that point in time, I was looking down the barrel of the gun. I had just witnessed now a kid shoot game.

Pool says Thompson eventually walked away. And from there, Poole started warning neighbors to get into their house because a mass shooter was on the loose. Lynn Gardner was one of three people to survive the shooting. She spent months in the hospital recovering from a number of injuries. But today in court, Gardner said she had forgiven Austin Thompson. Believe it or not, I feel for the family members who lost loved ones on that day. I lost a dear friend, but because who I am and what I believe in has given me the grace to forgive the young man who shot me. Being a Christian,

I don't just talk to talk. I walk to walk. Austin Thompson pleaded guilty to killing five people in that October 22 shooting when he was only 15 years old. Defense attorneys get the chance next week to present evidence in the sentencing phase and you can look for continuing coverage

right here on eyewitness news. Eyewitness news continues to stay on top of the heating issues plaguing a dorm on the Shaw University campus. Students tell us they've been without heat or hot water in Dimple Newsom Residence Hall for weeks now. Before last weekend snowstorm, the university sent this email saying due to the anticipated weather conditions, we strongly encourage all residential students to vacate the residence halls as soon as possible and return home or to a safe off-campus location. One parent telling us they had to fork over

money to put their child in a hotel. I'm tired. You can't get them over the phone. Nobody returned phone calls. I thought I was paying for the room, tuition, board, everything of that nature. We've reached out to Shaw University several times for comment. So far, we have not heard back. In Washington, the budget stalemate is officially over tonight. Late this afternoon, President Trump signed a bill ending the partial government shutdown. The legislation funds nearly all government agencies through September except for the Department

of Homeland Security. Members of Congress now have less than two weeks to negotiate changes to ICE following the killings of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis. Meantime at the state legislature, Democrats join civil rights leaders to announce a multi-day March next week. They want to highlight a number of issues, including the need to pass a state budget. Democrats say the longer they wait to pass the state budget, the more people will suffer. While North Carolina Republicans say the budget has been held up over a discussion of the future of tax cuts, they say a budget will be passed. In action to do a budget, our one responsibility of the Constitution pass a budget.

And because we don't pass a budget, people are suffering. But they still have issues that House and Senate leadership are sorting out, but we do feel confident that something will get done. But I do believe you'll see a package passed this year. Lawmakers also called for greater accountability over the actions of ICE agents, while Republicans say immigration enforcement is something North Carolinians voted for. She's known as the First Lady of Gospel Music, and she lives right here in the triangle.

We're talking about none other than passing. Shirley Caesar. On Sunday, the world famous singer who was born and raised in Durham won her 13th Grammy award and today, Duan Hogard caught up with the gospel great at her home in Raleigh. The Grammy goes to, come Jesus, come. Pastor Shirley Caesar will now have to make room for one more of music's biggest award. I sat down with Caesar at her Wake County home to talk about her 13th Grammy. Even at this time in my life, in my age, who would have thought but God?

legendary Queen of Gospel taking home the award for best gospel performance song. Come Jesus Come, Cecey Winens featuring Pastor Shirley Caesar. My phone rang and everybody on the other end of the phone was screaming, who he won, you won. The song even edging out gospel titan Kirk Franklin in the category. This is my first time beating Kurt Franklin. Na-da-da-na-na-na. That's okay.

When Come Jesus Come was announced, neither Wynton nor Pastor Caesar were there. I'll accept on their behalf, congratulations once again. Instead, the snow that blanketed much of North Carolina preventing her from making the trip. Even though I didn't go, I still won. We still won. Despite her absence, she views this win as proof of God's presence.

Well, if you want to know the truth, I'd never heard the song or anything, even when I was in the studio, ugh, the song. The song itself is so powerful. And there's more to come. I haven't done it all. God is not through blessing me.

She has had such an extraordinary career. She had her first recording deal at the age of 12 when she lived in Durham. And she's 87 years old now and obviously still going very strong. She's not done yet. I just love her joy, her enthusiasm for life, her happiness. It's really contagious when you see her talk. And she gives back. to so many ways in so many ways to the Triangle community. It's really amazing.

All right, remember the Grammys are coming here to ABC 11. Disney is the new home of the award show under a 10-year global deal with the Recording Academy. That begins next year. Still to come here on eyewitness News at 11. It's now been more than 60 hours since Nancy Guthrie, the mother of today's show host Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her home in Arizona. And tonight there's growing concern about critical medication she left behind and possible ransom notes sent to local media outlets. Plus NASA delays the launch of its historic Artemis 2.

lunar moon moon mission after several problems were discovered during a test run this morning. And Don's getting us ready for that chilly rain with a look at the temps outside right now. Yeah, numbers are running in the 40s and upper 30s. It's going to be a cold rain overnight in spots too as this system works through. We'll talk more about the rain working in overnight and the rain that sticks around tomorrow. Plus, our first alert to your seven-day forecast. Kamen up. With AMX Platinum, $400 in annual credits for travel and dining means you not only satisfy your travel bug.

But your taste buds too. That's the powerful backing of Amex. Conditions apply. I was guilty of multiple skin care crimes. Two counts of sleeping in makeup. One count of using disposable wipes. I knew my routine had to change. So I switched to Garnier-Missler water.

It gently cleanses, perfectly removes makeup, and provides 24-hour hydration. Clear away the evidence with the number one Missler Water worldwide by Garnier. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. We are back now with an update in this search for the mother of today show host Savannah Guthrie. Authorities in Arizona say they're reviewing possible ransom notes as part of this investigation.

The ABC affiliate in Tucson says it received one of the letters and sent it to law enforcement. Investigators believe someone broke into Nancy Guthrie's home over the weekend and kidnapped her. They're also looking at her electronic devices and any data that could point to the timing of the kidnapping Right now, detectives don't know if Guthrie was targeted or if the kidnapping was random. Adding to the concern is that Nancy needs to take medication every day to survive. Tonight, there's a setback in NASA's mission to the moon. The space agency says it encountered hydrogen fuel leaks during yesterday's test of the Artemis rocket. NASA is now delaying the launch date until March.

The plan is to have four astronauts orbit the moon in the Orion spacecraft, and it'll be the first trip to the moon in more than 50 years. Disney, our parent company here at ABC 11 named a new C.E. today. Right now, he's running the theme parks and Disney Cruise Line. We're talking about Josh DeMorrow. He'll succeed Bob Iger, George Pinocchio, from our sister station in Los Angeles is at Disneyland, where tomorrow's impact has been felt for years. You need to keep pushing forward and being innovative. I think I'm ready for that challenge, but I've learned from the best of the best.

A familiar face at the parks, Josh DeMorrow is a 28-year Disney veteran and current chairman of Disney experiences, overseeing the company's 12 theme parks, 57 hotels, and Disney Cruise Line. He'll pick up where Bob Iger leaves off after nearly two decades at the helm. Iger calling tomorrow, quote, an exceptional leader with an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand and a deep understanding of what resonates with audiences. Iger will remain a senior advisor and board member through 2026 to help guide the transition. Both of them sat down with David Muir for an exclusive interview on World News Tonight. I'll be stepping down as CEO on March 18th.

I'll be an employee of the company and an advisor through the end of this calendar year. And I will be available on call. Should anyone want any advice from me? I'll call them. Tomorrow also serves as a member of the National Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish, a cause that's near and dear to his heart. It's part of my family. My niece was a Make-A-Wish kid. I saw what that experience did for my niece, for my niece's family, how it lifted them up. Another announcement to share, Dana Walden will become Disney's first ever president and chief creative officer.

Walden is the driving force behind many hit TV shows, including the Bear, Abbott Elementary, and Shogun, a history-making series that won 18 Emmy Awards in its first season. Congratulations to Josh and to Dana, and thank you to Bob Iger for all your work over the years. In Anaheim, California, George Pinocchio for ABC News. There is a lot of excitement inside Disney about the future of the company. I know, turning the page, writing a new chapter. and Walt Disney's story was, right? Absolutely.

All right, let's talk to Don about what's coming our way. The timing on this whole situation tomorrow. Tomorrow sounds like kind of a soggy, miserable day around here. Don, can you tell Mother Nature we're over it? I've told her she doesn't listen. Yeah, tomorrow, it's not going to rain all day, but it can rain anytime tomorrow, and it's going to be a cold rain. So be ready for that.

Now, tomorrow is the first alert day because of that cold rain ending as some snowflakes. Thursday will be the coolest day of the next seven, just 37 degrees. Thursday night into Friday, drop into the low 20s. We may see a refreeze. So I have to watch for that on Friday morning. Saturday, 42, Sunday, 43, back into the 50s next week where we should be for this time of year. Live look on your first alert Doppler net tonight. Most of this not making it to ground. A little bit of snowflake activity possible up around South Hill, Virginia. We'll go into Person County live. Look at Roxborough right now. It looks like there's a ton of precipitation. Again, most of this is being

absorbed into a very dry atmosphere. I zoom down in on the light. We're not seeing any snowflakes or raindrops make it to the ground right now and it would be very light as it works through in the overnight hours. We'll head south into Fayetteville on the self-help sky cam down there. It's just mostly cloudy. Nothing's showing up on the radar and you're warmer at 41 degrees. Maneo to Murphy tonight. We've got 30s and 40s across the state. One of those rare nights where it's cooler at the beach. It's 36 out in Boone right now. Down at Manio, it is 35. Now southern beaches are in the 40s, 45 down at Wilmington. or it down at ECU, 37 in the triad. Charlotte checks in at 38.

Overnight, we'll see those numbers falling into the mid-30s for lows. Stray showers around as we go through the overnight. Normal for this time of year is 33. That's right where we'll be. Satellite radar composite shows the showers off to the west of us. If we zoom it out, you can see it's part of this line. Most of the snow staying to the north of us, that rain intruding into the region. And that's where we'll go overnight.

Just a mixed precipitation as possible. Hit or miss showers as we go through the day tomorrow. It's surging up from the south. So it'll be a little warmer. Temperatures in the 30s. And then as we get into tomorrow night as it starts to exit the region, by this time tomorrow night, may see some snowflakes up to the north,

mixed precipitation here through the metro. And then it works out as we head into the day on Friday or Thursday. Forecast looks like this. Tomorrow 42 degrees with the chance of showers around 42 in Durham, 47 in Fayetteville. Better chance for rain down. Our showers in the triangle will be hit or miss. Seven-day forecasts that cooler day on Thursday.

Friday, sunshine returns. We're going to warm it up and dry it out a bit. 30, 46 degrees on Friday, 30 Friday night. Saturday, 42, Sunday, 43. Monday, we're at 50 and Tuesday, 53 degrees. And some of the long-range forecasts actually push us near 60 by the middle part of next week. Yeah, keep pushing that. We'd love to see something close to six.

The snow will be nothing but a memory. Don, thanks. Still ahead. A well-known restaurant chain with a location in the triangle is set to close its doors for good. Everyone needs help with something. If investing is your something, we get it. Cooperators' financial representatives are here to help with genuine advice that puts your needs first. We got you.

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The chain's parent company announced it's closing all 28 Caribbean-themed restaurants in the coming months. Half of them are shutting down entirely, and that includes the location on Wake Forest Road in Raleigh. The other half, including the one at Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, are getting converted into a different restaurant concept. The move follows earlier closures and talks about a possible sale. The final day for the Bahama Breeze in Raleigh is April 5th.

In a time of rising prices, some popular snacks will soon become cheaper. Today, PepsiCo announced its slashing prices by about 15% in response to customer complaints about cost. The company is behind the brands like Doritos, Lays, and Cheetos. You could start noticing those lower prices this week. Now to a story that's getting a lot of attention on social media tonight, the events betting platform, Polly Market, is opening a free grocery store in New York City. The fully stock store opens next Thursday. The prediction market also says it donated $1 million to a food.

Bank in New York City. The announcement comes as competing betting platform. Kalshi held a free grocery event today in New York's East Bay. The secret to Charlotte Cardin's captivating eyes? Panorama Mascara by L'Oreal Paris. The multi-level bristle brush catches

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So what do you think is going to happen? Bitcoin is sort of inevitable at this point. I think it would come down to precious metals. I hope we don't go cashless. I would say land is a safe investment. Technology companies. Solar energy. Robotic pollinators might be a thing. A wrestler to face a robot, that will have to happen.

So whatever you think is going to happen in the future, you can invest in it at Wealth Simple. Start now at WealthSimple.com. First UNC. Duke, Carolina weekend on the way. Kate, thank you. And thank you at home for watching. It's going to do it for us here tonight.

We'll see you back here tomorrow night at 11. ABC 11 eyewitness news is sponsored by Capital Chevrolet. Together, let's drive. Shop capitalchevrolet.com.