ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - July 24, 2026

Episode Date: July 25, 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, I Witness News. And right now at 11, a planned Duke Energy rate hike ran into resistance from customers, and now the tides are turning, the latest on the change in plans that should have a positive impact on customers' energy bills. And we've been tracking some pretty heavy rainfall over the last few days. This week's rain helping with drought conditions across central North Carolina and more help is on the way this weekend as that rainfall continues. Thanks so much for joining us here. For the news at 11, I'm Lauren Johnson. Steve has a night off. We are taking a live look at the Doppler radar. Rain expected to move in overnight creating a wet Saturday and it should be a 50-50 weekend because Sunday looks like a bit more dry.

Let's get over to meteorologist Cruz Medina filling in for dawn tonight. Cruise in theory more rain could mean less drought. That is correct. And so we could get another. another healthy dosing overnight. Not everyone is going to see the same amount of rainfall as the rain will be scattered in nature. But you could see the rain chances increasing as we go throughout the duration of tonight.

And then as we go into tomorrow, the morning is gonna be the wettest part of the day. We could see some showers linger into the lunch hour and then after that the rain chance drops significantly. So if you have late afternoon or evening plans tomorrow, you're probably on the safe side. First alert Doppler net tonight. We have widely scattered showers out there.

They're very light in nature. Most of them are across the northern tier right now. So areas like person County, Durham County, you're kind of getting the brunt of that rain. We'll see more move in from the west as it tracks to the east into tomorrow morning. Tipters will be in the upper 60s to around 70 degrees when you start your day on Saturday. Again, you're going to want to umbrella stepping out the door. And here's what the rest of the day looks like. Tipters are going to be bound in the 70s just because of how rainy and cloudy it's going to be.

temperature has only reached the mid-70s, and that'll be in the early evening hours. But the first half of the day, again, that's when you need the umbrella. The second half is dry and better conditions on the way for Sunday. We'll talk about that coming up in your seven-day forecast. Back to you. All right, Cruz, thank you. As we continue to deal with the drought and prepare for more rain. Now's a good time to download that ABC 11 app.

It's a great way to stay up to date on current weather conditions. We'll send you watches or warnings directly to your devices. After months of pushed backs and public hearings, a small victory could be on the way for Duke, customers. The energy company proposed an 18% rate increase over the next two years, but recent negotiations have cut the rate proposals in half. Jemise Price spoke to customers who say the reduction is a step in the right direction, but the power company says the rate increase is necessary. James, customers are still strapped for cash.

Duke says providing the service is getting more expensive. That's right, Lauren, those investments will cost more, and the rate increase will address infrastructure needs, a growing demand, and investments towards the power grid, but customers say they cannot shoulder any additional costs. Duke Energy customers will tell you, I'm paying more than I always have. I think the bills per unit cost is significantly increasing. They say they're paying more and using less energy. Last year I got like an $80 bill for like let's say June 2025 and I think I got like $120 dollar bill for June 23rd six for using less energy. It's one of those things of like you of course

always think is it me first. You know, am I doing something crazy? Did I leave the freezer open or something wild like that? I'm not doing anything different. That means the energy cost must be going up. But plans that could have resulted in even higher utility bills have changed. Duke Energy's initial proposal of an 18% rate increase was dropped to a 9.5% increase over two years. That's about a $6.53 cent increase in 2027 at an extra $4.66 cent jump the following year. My first thought is immediately like, oh, 18 percent, yeah, that's a lot, 9 percent, less than that cool, but why are we going up at all right now? Duke Energy says the proposed rate reduction was made after hearing the concerns from customers. For weeks, the North Carolina Utilities Commission held public hearings across the

state. People lined up to speak where they pushed back against the rate increase. Given the cost of living pressures that we know our customers are facing right now, along with the conversations that we've had as part of these discussions, we felt we needed to make a reduction. Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks says a rate increase is still necessary to meet energy demands in growing cities. We've added about 150,000 customers over the last two years here in the state, and those are residential and business customers. And that required about 50,000 new polls and about 4,000 miles of new lines. We've also added self-healing technology,

which has really started to deliver big benefits for our customers. And Duke Energy also launched a new tool that will help customers understand their bills more and also provides new strategies and ways to save over time. In Raleigh, Jemise Price, ABC 11, eyewitnesses. Yeah, we know every little bit counts. Jemise, thank you.

New at 11, we're following a developing story out of Wickforce, where a pretty rough crash left multiple people injured tonight. Just past 4 o'clock this evening, a van hit a golf cart as it was crossing the street at the intersection of Stonewick Lane and Stony Hill Road. According to Northern Wake Fire, two minors were in the cart when it was hit. They've since been taken to Duke as trauma patients. The driver of the van was uninjured. We'll continue to bring you updates as we learn more about this developing situation. An update on a developing story during police say a man was seriously hurt in a shooting today.

Chopper Levin was over that scene tonight on Formosa. Avenue off Fayetteville Street. Police say the suspect and the victim are known to each other. Police don't believe there is any threat to the community and they have not released any more information. An update tonight on a developing story, a carry man in Granada tonight helping to search for his missing wife. Elizabeth Liz Waddell has been missing on the Caribbean island since Wednesday. The Royal Granada police say she was last seen at Grandon's beach and despite the missing person poster description, Waddell's husband tells eyewitness news. She's about five feet tall with short blonde hair.

Police are encouraging fishermen and boat operators nearby to be on the lookout for her. Her husband, Kalin, serves as the parts and recreation and cultural resources manager for the town of Kerry. The state highway patrol says speed and wet conditions likely played a role in a crash that killed a Chapel Hill woman. That collision happened yesterday on I-40 between exits 390 and 398 in Pender County. 25-year-old Rebecca Raines lost control of her Honda Accord, crossed the media, after over correcting and hit a tractor trailer head on. The semi-driver suffered minor injuries. Heavy rain was falling at the time of that crash.

Authorities arresting another teenager in the July 4th violence in Raleigh, it's the second arrest in just the past week. Raleigh police charging 17-year-old Kenna Daughtry from Goldsboro in connection with the shooting that occurred on Capitol Boulevard. Arrest warrants alleged Daughtry shot into a car at the Speedway with four people inside. Daughtry was processed as an adult and charged with assault. with a deadly weapon and discharging a weapon into occupied property.

So far, five juveniles are charged in those 4th of July crimes. In your voice, your vote, there's about 100 days to go until the statewide general election, and you can help pick Durham County's next I-voted sticker. The first round of public voting is now open. People are being asked to pick from one of 14 designs submitted by Durham County residents. You can head to decovotes.com to cast your ballots. Voting closes next Wednesday, July 29th. The top 10 designs will advance to the next round.

A second round of voting will take place from July 31st through August 5th, and then the winner will be selected at a board meeting on August 13th. Plenty of heads turning in downtown Raleigh as superheroes and anime characters are in town for GalaxyCon. The annual gathering bringing in massive crowds to the capital city. From movie stars to wrestling legends, GalaxyCon Raleigh has a little bit of something for everyone. The exhibit floor covered with stars, vendors, and costumes as far as the eye can see, GalaxyCon draws about 50,000 people with all 50 states and nearly a dozen countries represented. In total, the event has roughly a $10 million impact on the economy.

But those figures are expected to grow in the years ahead as the city moves forward with plans to renovate the convention center. And GalaxyCon founder and president Mike Broder says it's not just changes to the building that are factoring into their offerings. We can bring in more people. We can fit more, you know, we can have more attractions. There's things that we've lost over the years that we can bring back. We're waiting patiently for the Omni. They've broken ground. They're going to build. I think they're going to have a 50,000 square foot bar room. Hopefully we can use. The Sheridan, which we've worked very well with for years, they're going to become a Western. They're going to gut that. And they're going to have even more space. GalaxyCon runs through Sunday, and they have already signed a deal to return to Raleigh annually through 2031. There's just one week left to give to our stop hunger campaign. Your donation can help families facing food and security all across our area. Every dollar donated will be matched up to $100,000. We're getting closer to our goal of funding 7 million meals. And so far, thanks to your generosity, 5 million meals are already paid for.

You can donate now through next Friday, July 31st. We put everything you need to know on ABC11.com. And a big thank you to everyone who has donated so far. So to come at 11, a big surprise for a wounded Fort Bragg Airman returning home, we've got the latest on the heartwarming gift being given to a courageous service member. And a multi-million dollar renovation of Durham Station is getting closer to the finish line, the progress being made, and what kinds of changes you should expect when it is complete. And crews checking those temperatures outside.

All right, we are in the 70s at this hour, and tipters tomorrow are not expected to be much warmer than the temperatures you're seeing on your screen right now. We also have the showers moving in from the West. These are going to impact your Saturday. The latest timeline coming up in your extended forecast after the break. There's no shortcut for saving time, but saving money is simple. Just combine your car and home insurance with Bel Air Direct and save. Get a quote at bellair direct.com.

Summer heats up in FX's The Shards. Set in 80s, Los Angeles, the Shards follows a group of beautiful privileged prep school, students who are preyed on by the trawler, a serial killer targeting teenagers across the city. This fever dream of youth, beauty, sex and mystery is a must see. FX's The Shards, streaming August 5th on Hulu on Disney Plus. Sign up now at Disneyplus.com. Now to the escalating war with Iran, Iran's foreign prime ministers responding to President Trump's threat to carry out his biggest attack yet. This, as the president urges Russia and China not to intervene

ABC's Jacqueline Lee has more from Los Angeles. Tonight, after two weeks of nonstop strikes on Iran, President Trump weighing whether to unleash more U.S. military assaults. We can even make it a heavier dose and it's knocking out everything they have, or there's a smarter strategy that you make a deal. Iran responding, dismissing the president's remarks as bullying and saying it will not respond to force, pressure, or threats in any way. This coming just days after the remains of four American soldiers killed,

killed in the Iran war were returned to the U.S. And now, Iran claiming it launched a wave of drones toward U.S. targets. U.S. forces hitting Iranian drone sites near the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed. Back here at home, the average gallon of gas now at $4.10 a gallon, up $0.10 a gallon, up $0.20 compared to last month, according to gas buddy. I looked up at the price. I'm like, oh, my gosh, gas went up again by a law. The president warning Russia and China to stay out of the war. Trump saying both countries have agreed to stop selling weapons to Iran.

Jacqueline Lee, ABC News, Los Angeles. Measles making an historic comeback in the United States. Data released today by the CDC shows more than 2,300 cases have been reported this year. That's the highest total in 35 years and already more than last year's total. Health officials say dozens of outbreaks are driving that surge and many are linked to communities with low vaccination rates. More than 90% of cases are occurring unvaccinated people or those whose vaccination. status is unknown. Experts say two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% lifetime protection against the disease. Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but health officials

say more cases have been reported in the past 18 months than in the previous 25 years combined. Take a look at the progress happening in Durham, the $26 million Durham station renovation is now more than halfway complete. The transportation hub on Pedigrew Street is having some new can Canopies installed, that's going to provide some shelter from the elements, as well as new restrooms, better accessibility and a new customer information building. When the renovation is finally complete, there will be 28 bus bays. The primary boarding area is slated to open in January. A surprise homecoming today for a wounded Fort Bragg specialist. The U.S. Veterans Corps in Garmin Holmes gifting senior airman Demetrius Fitzpatrick, a mortgage-free home in Nightdale.

Fitzpatrick was injured in a training exercise at Fort Bragg in January. As another paratrooper collided with his parachute, the two fell to the ground and he fractured his spine. Any group that gives back to the people who serve this country are the exact people like they're the reason why we serve. Those are the people we want to take care of in America. We don't do it expecting anything in return like we do it because we want to. And the fact that a group of people get together to actually give back to us to is fantastic. Thank you. Fitzpatrick will officially receive the home in a ceremony on September 11th.

When the school year begins for Johnston County Public School students, a new rule about vaping will be in place. Under that new policy recently passed by the school board, items such as e-cigarettes, vape pins, pod-based devices, electronic cigars, and more are banned from school property. A first offense will lead to a 10-day suspension. A long-term suspension will be recommended for a second offense. All right. Gotta pay attention there in Johnston County. We also have to pay attention to the weekend crews. I know a lot of people want to get out and find out which day's the better day and tomorrow won't be it.

It is not it. But you know what? That just means you got to make up for it on Sunday, right? And you have the opportunity to because it's going to be dry by then. Let's start with the rain that we're going to see tomorrow, though, because it is going to impact a large portion of your day. Tomorrow morning looks pretty wet. It's scattered showers. So not everywhere is going to be seeing rain at all points throughout tomorrow morning.

But when the rain does come, it could be locally heavy in some spots. And that should start to wrap up in the triangle at least by the early afternoon hours. And we'll continue wrapping up from west to east later in the day. By Sunday, mid to upper 80s. So that's a true summer day. Obviously, it's going to be pretty muggy with all the moisture that we have from tomorrow's rain. But at least you're back to dry conditions, a mix of sun and clouds for the afternoon. And then, of course, it gets hotter as we go into next week.

I'll take you outside. This is a live look out in Person County. We're looking at uptown Roxborough right now. Drizzle being reported there 68 degrees. So tipters have cooled just a little bit from where we were at earlier this afternoon. First alert Doppler net shows some showers moving through Person County at this time. Elsewhere, just some scattered pockets of drizzle. So the radar struggles to pick up on that because those particles are so fine, but you definitely see them if you walk outside.

Here's that rain moving through portions of Granville County. So right over Falls Lake, we've also got some rain pushing into uptown Roxborough right now, and that extends toward Mecklenburg County and Virginia. So we'll see more of those rounds come in from the west. First alert predictor, kind of bullish on a band of rain setting up shop across the northern tier. So going into 5 a.m., this is what the radar could look like. Scattered rain, any of those yellow pockets that you're seeing there, that could be pockets of moderate rainfall. That continues through about noon. We'll see the last push of the moisture arriving by then. And then from west to east, we'll see the rain clearing in the afternoon.

By evening, just a straggling shower there along the I-95 corridor, and we'll dry out into tomorrow night and definitely into Sunday. So Sunday, no rain chance there. You've got a partly cloudy sky. Tifters will be warmer in the afternoon. Again, you can make some plans for the back half of the weekend. So how much rain could we see tonight? Well, some models are showing up to a half inch, others are showing a half inch to an inch.

So I'd say up to an inch is possible. some spots. Most of you are going to fall on the lower end of that and it really just depends on where these heavier bands of rain set up shop as we go into tomorrow morning. Tomorrow, the wetest part of the day is the morning, so that's when you want the umbrella. Go ahead and grab it heading out the door, especially if you have plans early in the day and then you already have it with you so there's no room for forgetting. Matter of fact, you go set it by the door tonight just so you don't forget it tomorrow. And the sand hills, that's where we have the warmest tipters tomorrow near 80 degrees, but most of us are going to be stuck in the 70s. So

So that will be the third day in a row that we see temperatures in the 70s. Now, not all of us like cooler weather. Some of you probably like it hotter, but I'll tell you for the folks that are going to be out at Carter-Fenly Stadium tomorrow for Noah Khan, tipters are only going to be in the 70s for that. And sitting out in a venue like that for multiple hours, you actually hit the jackpot there with those tipter staying cooler than average throughout the day tomorrow. Here's a different view outside. We're looking live over downtown Raleigh, 72 degrees there, 68 and.

Roxborough and 73 in Fayetteville. Again tonight, tipters are only going to drop a few more degrees. So you'll wake up near 70 degrees. Afternoon highs tomorrow and the 70s for most of us, with the exception being the sand hills. From there, tipter's sore. So Sunday is the start of the warm up. Low 90s for Monday. Tuesday, likely is to become a first alert day in time. We'll see some late day storms that could be on the strong side. Then we'll stay in the low 90s with sunshine going through the middle and end of the upcoming work week. Lauren. Love sunshine. We need to see it again, right? It'll be nice to see.

It will. Thank you. FedEx workers are used to shipping all kinds of goods, but some shipments can still catch you off guard, how a tiny creature caused a pretty big stir at a FedEx store in Tennessee. You're watching ABC 11. Now under the Live tab on Disney Plus and everywhere you stream. We'll be right back.

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Wayfair, every style, every home. This news, we are local news weeknights four to six 30 and 11. Oh, you know what time it is? It's time for tonight's top trending stories and real news. First, take a look at this. FedEx workers in Memphis, Tennessee, open up a package and find out there are still some big surprises in small packages. Did you see that? A customer opened a box to find a live iguana inside when Roder Duncan showed up. at the FedEx office to pick up his new pet. One of the FedEx workers urged Duncan

to open the package. When he opened it, Duncan says he expected the reptile to still be stiff after being in the box for a while. But that wasn't the case. The iguana named Titan leapt out of the bag, quickly jumped behind the counter. Everyone was shocked. Duncan eventually got tightened under control. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

The workers were able to laugh about the big surprise. I didn't even know you could ship iguanas through FedEx. That's news to me. my goodness. All right, now to some pretty explosive photos. You don't see this every day. A Chinese rocket was hit by lightning right after it launched yesterday. It all started when a long March 3B rocket blasted off from China's Chi Chang satellite launch center with a communications relay satellite on board. Roughly half a minute into the mission, lightning hits the rocket and incredibly a photographer caught the moment on camera. Thankfully, though, nobody was on board

that rocket and it continued on into outer space just fine. But now a perfect picture to capture the moment. An internet sensation is celebrating a pretty big birthday and getting lots of fanfare along the way. Punch, the beloved Japanese macaque, is turning one years old. Hundreds of birthday cards flying in from all around the world to wish Punch a happy birthday. Punch's story started when he was abandoned by his mother after his birth, presumably

because she was a little exhausted. Zookeepers nursed him, gave him a stuffed orangutang to train him to cling to that thing, right? It's an ability newborn McCawks need to survive. Well, since then, images of Punch dragging around the toy that's virtually bigger than him went viral, bringing 90,000 visitors to the zoo in March alone. Punch turns one on Sunday, the room full of birthday cards now being displayed at a local zoo near Tokyo. Happy birthday punch. I can't believe it's been...

Your summer travels deserve an upgrade. With select Chevrolete, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles connected by OnStar, you can stream, game, and more on the go. Whether you're headed to a music festival or a cottage getaway, you can access hundreds of apps on Google Play right from your center display. Explore OnStar Tech today at OnStar.ca and discover how to take your summer to the next level. OnStar. Better never stops. for us here tonight. Thanks for watching. Jimmy Kimmel Live is next. And remember, you can watch us always on ABC11.com. ABC11 eyewitness news is sponsored by Capitol Chevrolet. Together.