ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - March 26, 2026

Episode Date: March 27, 2026

Eyewitness News at 11pm - March 26, 2026 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. And breaking at 11, TSA workers could soon get paid. Tonight, President Trump says he'll sign an executive order instructing the Department of Homeland Security to pay those airport workers immediately. The impact it could have at the RDEU airport. And life savings gone. A Raleigh woman is. devastated after scammers tricked her into sending them a total of $75,000. It's a scheme she says she never saw coming.

If I think about it, then the tears come. I try to keep them a day. What the troubleshooter wants you to know so you don't become a victim. But first, we begin with our top story. Controversial statements online, now prompting more than a dozen breweries to pull out of North Carolina's largest brew festival in downtown Rowland. Thanks for joining us here for eyewitness News at 11. I'm Steve Daniels.

Johnson, we are less than a month away from the Brugaloo Festival, one of the largest beer festivals in the country that attracts thousands of craft beer lovers. But tonight we're learning the y'all means all beer festival could be an alternative after some controversial comments from the woman behind shop local Raleigh, the group that organizes Brugoloo. Jemise Price talking to that new festival's organizers about why they're showing up as direct competition to Brugaloo. Jemise.

Steve, that new festival will take place here at the Raleigh Brewing Company just off of Hillsborough Street and already 15 plus breweries are on tap to participate in the new festival after anti-trans remarks started circulating on social media three months ago. The y'all means all creators say their event is a safe space for everyone. It's a happy coincidence that's happening at the same time. On the same day at the same time, dueling beer festivals will take place in Raleigh. Both events touting some of the best craft breweries on tap. The Yall means all North Carolina Beer Festival is giving craft beer lovers a different option.

Organizer Erica Vogel says the festival was born out of a need for inclusion. At a time when rights are being stripped away from the LGBT community at sort of an alarming rate, we wanted to make sure that we had an event that was safe and welcoming for everyone in the community. Erica was a craft vendor with the Brugaloo Festival since 2019, where she sold and showcased her specialty jewelry through her boutique, be like Missy. She made the decision to pull out of that festival after anti-trans comments made the round online. The author, Jen Martin, who runs Shop Local Raleigh, the host for the long-running Brugaloo Beer Festival. Our values weren't aligned with the current event. We decided it was time to make our own. Then Martin acknowledged her comments and asked for forgiveness earlier this year.

A post she wrote on Facebook, she wrote, her heart has always been for people and community. The apology wasn't enough for some vendors and breweries. That was why a lot of us walked away from Chapel Local Raleigh and Brugeloo. So they will now do something different at their own festival. This is what happens when people aren't being included. The All Means All Festival is expected to feature live music, food trucks, craft vendors, nonprofits, and 16 breweries, including Trophy Brewery, Wye Hill Kitchen, and the Raleigh Brewing Company. It's a way to let loose to celebrate our local craft beer community, which is so strong in

North Carolina. It's something I think that sets us apart from a lot of other states. But it's just a way for the community to come together, let loose, and just really enjoy themselves. Now, eyewitness news did reach out to Jen Martin and shop local Raleigh. We haven't heard back from them yet. We're live in Raleigh. Jimmy's Price, ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, a new option coming to the neighborhood. Jamice, thank you.

Now to that breaking news from Washington tonight, President Trump says he's taking action to pay TSA workers. President Trump posted a message on social media announcing he'll sign an executive order, directing the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA employees immediately. The announcement comes as negotiations in Congress stall with a key Senate vote, failing to break the deadlock and lawmakers preparing to leave for a two-week. tonight's announcement comes as TSA officers at the RDEU airport tell eyewitness news they're not getting donations from the public meant to help them. TSA

officers say donated gift cards have not been distributed equally they say some people have gotten several gift cards and others have not gotten any one TSA worker who spoke with eyewitness news without showing her face said they just want answers about where the gift cards are going they say if you're not there you can't get the gift cards well we've been there and we haven't gotten the gift cards do better I wouldn't see who's reached out to the TSA and RDU for a comment about those claims and we're still waiting to hear back. A 14-year-old boy is dead and we learned from police. They are charging another teenager in his death.

Wilson police say the shooting happened Tuesday night on Woodside Drive. That's where officers found the 14-year-old shot inside a home. He was taken to a Greenville hospital where he later died. The 15-year-old suspect is facing involuntary manslaughter and possession of a stolen firearm charge. The White County Sheriff's Office has a man in custody after a 43-year-old one. woman was shot in a home near Nightdale. That shooting happened around 1230 this morning along broken arrow court. The house is off Pool Road near Hodge Road. When deputies arrived there, they found Jessica Wells with a gunshot wound. She later died at the hospital. Tonight, the sheriff's office said there are no updates in the case. We have an update tonight on a shooting investigation in Chapel Hill. Police now have a 19-year-old in custody. Chapel Hill police say

Amir James, Meben, has been arrested after he allegedly shot at someone on North Robertson Street earlier this month. No one was hurt in that shooting. James was arrested with help from several agencies and he's being held at the Orange County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Now the latest in the war with Iran and tonight President Trump says he's giving Iran more time as tensions remain high there in the Middle East. According to ABC News, President Trump says he has extended the deadline for Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz. It comes after Iran allowed oil carrying ships to pass through safely this week. Trump says Iran asked for a seven-day extension so he decided to give them 10 days, pausing U.S. strikes on energy facilities until April 6th. The president said talks with Iran are ongoing, even as fighting continues in the region.

And part of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg has been ordered to deploy to that region. And it's no secret. Fort Bragg is a major economic engine in Fayetteville. Some small businesses say they are already feeling the ripple effects. Business owners along the Yatkin Road corridor say uncertainty around possible deployments is changing how families spend their money. Carrie Moore, a military spouse and daughter of a veteran runs a dance retail shop. She says she's seeing customers cut back as they prepare for the possibility of loved ones headed to the Middle East to assist U.S. forces in the region. Her son is stationed at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne, which she says is also an added stress. They'll have to cut back on things, and I think extracurricular activities are going to be something that is going to take a hit, which is going to affect me.

What do you do? It's not my choice, you know, and I know it worries my husband. know it will cause a lot of anxiety just as a parent. A defense official has confirmed elements of the 82nd Airborne Division will deploy to the CENTCOM region, including countries in the Middle East. New here at 11, North Carolina's voter ID law has been upheld. You might remember in 2018, voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID to vote in North Carolina, but it also offers free IDs and exceptions for voters without one.

Civil rights activist argued it was passed with discriminatory intent against black and Latino voters, but today a federal judge disagreed. The decision means the law remains in effect for future elections. Still to come here at 11, a close call in the skies over Southern California. Next, why and how a military helicopter crossed right into the path of a passenger jet, what was triggered in the cockpit moments before a collision. And a cryptic text followed by a wire transfer, the series of events that led a Raleigh woman to drain her savings account, the troubleshooter with the red flags to be on the lookout for. And Don's with us right now with an eye on the radar.

Yeah, dry out there tonight, but by this time tomorrow night, this will be lit up with some rain. We'll talk about your rain chances on your Friday and a first alert to your seven-day forecast coming up. At Medcan, we know that life's greatest moments are built on a foundation of good health, from the big milestones to the quiet winds. That's why our annual health assessment offers a physician-led, full-body checkup that provides a clear picture of your health today and may uncover early signs of conditions like heart disease and cancer. The healthier you means more moments to cherish. Take control of your well-being and book an assessment today.

Medcan. Live well for life. Visit medcan.com slash moments to get started. At Desjardin, our business is helping yours. We are here to support your business through every stage of growth, from your first pitch to your first acquisition. Whether it's improving cash flow or exploring investment. banking solutions. With Desjardin business, it's all under one roof.

So join the more than 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us. And contact Desjardin today. We'd love to talk. Business. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. Long lines at some of the country's busiest airports continue tonight, but there may be an end in sight.

Yeah, tonight, President Trump directed Homeland to pay TSA agents, but it may not happen before lawmakers leave town tomorrow. Jacqueline Lee has the latest. Travel chaos continues nationwide as TSA officers go nearly a month without pay. And the lawmakers who could end this mess are set to leave town for a two-week spring break on Friday. The stillmate on Capitol Hill continues with Republicans offering what they're calling a best and final offer to Democrats. But Democrats are demanding sweeping policy reforms for ICE agents, which includes taking off their masks.

The Senate's test vote to gauge whether a DHS funding bill can be passed failed tonight. The motion is not agreed to. Earlier in the day, President Trump saying, They need to end the shutdown immediately or will have to take some very drastic measures. And now, the president announcing on social media tonight, he will sign an executive order instructing newly sworn in DHS secretary Mark Wayne Mullen to pay TSA agents immediately, calling the ongoing DHS shutdown in emergency situation. Meanwhile, at Houston's largest airport,

security lines are four hours long. I just feel like it's unacceptable. Like, it should not be happening. TSA is sending additional 32 national deployment officers to Houston Bush Airport to operate additional lanes. In Houston, New Orleans and Atlanta, about four of every 10 TSA officers without paychecks are calling out.

And airports in New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia are close behind. The president sending ICE agents to airports to help. They could be seen walking around, assisting with baggage flow and checking IDs at checkpoints. Jacqueline Lee, ABC News, Los Angeles. In Southern California, a close call in the skies when a military Blackhawk helipter crossed right into the path of a United Airlines plane landing at the Orange County Airport,

an anti-collision alert was triggered in the United cockpit because at their closest point, the jet and the helicopter were separated by only 500 feet vertically and 1,400 feet horizontally. The United 737 with 168 passengers on board was on a flight from San Francisco. The military Blackhawk is part of the Army National Guard. President Trump signed an executive order today banning federal contractors and subcontractors from engaging in DEI practices. The order says those contractors cannot engage in what it calls racially discriminatory DEI activities. Contractors that do not comply will have their government contracts canceled or suspended. A Raleigh woman is sharing her story with the IT troubleshooter after scammers tricked her out of her

life savings. Betty Lynn Smith says it all started when she received an alert about two transactions that she did not make. She called what she thought was customer support and says she was told hackers had access to her accounts. Not realizing she was caught up in a scam, Betty Lynn says the man texted her an app to download on her phone, which gave them remote access to her phone. She followed their instructions in hopes of safekeeping her money. They told her to wire a total of $75,000 to two different accounts. He told me what to say to the wire department to ensure that the wire went out. Stupidly, I told them. them that I knew the person, which I didn't.

Not long after sending the money, Betty Lynn realized it was a scam. Tried to stop the wire transfers, but it was too late. The biggest red flag to these scams is when you're asked to download an app to your phone or your computer, which ultimately gives the scammers complete access to your device. Never do that. Instead, simply hang up. The Raleigh Metro area continues to grow faster than most places in the country. That's according to some new census data. The numbers show the Raleigh-Carrie metro area, which includes Wake Johnson and Franklin County,

added nearly 37,000 people in the year leading up to July of 2025. The growth rate for 2024-2020-Rae 25 ranks 10th among the fastest-growing metro areas across the country. Overall, the region has grown by more than 12.5% since 2020. The New York Times is giving the triangle some love with one of its travel stories 36 hours in Raleigh. The article highlighted a number of hotspots, including outdoor activities, bars, restaurants, galleries, and shops. So here's the names for you. Dick's Park, top the list, along with the capital area. system and the park at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The time suggested a stop at the Rialto Theater, the state farmers market, and a number of North Raleigh breweries. As for eateries,

pools diners, St. Rock's Fine, Oysters and Bar and Figulina were all highlighted. All right, stop what you were doing and take a look at this. Our cameras had their eye in the sky to capture this incredible sunset over downtown Raleigh tonight. A spectacular site, but there's a reason why. The sky turns orange like that when there's so much smoke in the sky and we've had all that smoke in the air around here from a fire in South Carolina. Don's been tracking that all day. You could smell it. You could see it in the air as well. Crossing state lines. We don't use that. I mean, we had Southwest winds gusting 30 miles an hour and it was just funneling that smoke up here really quickly before it could even dissipate. So we've got that in the atmosphere. We've also got

pollen. That's right. And the pollen is going to stay very high tomorrow with the upper 80s. There's going to be a lot of it out there. By the way, if you've ever wondered what sex your tree is, I just wrote an article about it dealing with pollen because we had a viewer say, well, if there were less male trees, would that mean there'd be less pollen? Not necessarily.

It's on ABC11.com if you want to check it out. Pollan goes down on Saturday with some rain tomorrow night into Saturday. Sunday it rockets back up and it'll stay very high on into next week. Let's check your seven-day forecast. Right off the top, we'll be near records tomorrow. Rain after sunset. 30 degrees colder on Saturday, very windy. Sunday, 64, looking great for the crop walk. We're in the 70s by Monday.

Live look on our first alert Doppler net tonight. It's dry tonight, but that will change by this time tomorrow night as we expect some showers in. Love this shot looking out toward the Duke Chapel there, 70 degrees. Those winds are still gusty. Up around 25 miles an hour, still funneling in some of that smoke from South Carolina tonight. Manny Ota Murphy, it is a warm night across the Carolinas. 70 here in Raleigh, 70. out in the triad, even balloon almost 60 degrees tonight. And that warm air is being pushed up from the south and we will stay warm through the overnight hours. Our temperatures tonight will go down into the 60s. Normally we're 43, not tonight. Tonight will be 20 degrees above that across most of the region. Satellite radar composites clear around here. But if we zoom it out,

look at all these warnings out in the Midwest tonight and watches. Massive cold front working east. And that's what's going to drop in as we head through the night tomorrow. So let's walk you through your day. Your first alert predictor forecast model. Times on the title there. 7 a.m. will start off in the 60. So a warm start to the day.

As we get into the afternoon, mid to upper 80s, especially from the triangle south, some more clouds to the north. But that's really going to keep our temperatures up. And then here comes the cold front. By this time tomorrow night, 11 p.m. We do see showers dropping through.

We could have a rumbler of 2 of thunder. Not anticipating any severe weather at this time. No risk for severe weather. Though any storm could turn severe, really not worried about it. This will drop through. Unfortunately, it's a quick hitter. Less than a quarter inch across most of the region for rain.

It moves out and then the cold air pours in. This is 7 o'clock on Saturday. We start the day in the 40s. We spend most of the day in the 40s. We're only going to get four or five hours in the 50s on Saturday. And then Saturday night under a clear sky, we're going to drop around freezing. So you could wake up to some frost as we head through the day on Sunday.

There's that cold front dropping through Saturday night into Sunday. cold or breeze from the high pressure up to the north, it will slide east. On the back side, we start to see some of that mild air working back in temperatures in the mid-60s. Forecast looks like this for tomorrow, 85 degrees in Durham, 87 and Raleigh would tie a record. 89 and Fayetteville would break a record. Notice the rain chance is only about 20%. That's in the daylight hours. The showers are going to come tomorrow night after dark. Back to that seven day in that big cool down for the weekend. 57 on Saturday, Sunday 64. Crop Walk, if you're headed to that in Durham, ABC 11 are proud sponsor.

Looking good. Temps in the 60s, Monday 75. And by the first of April, we're back into the mid 80s. All right, Don, thank you. You bet. So to come here on eyewitness news, the countdown to Disney greatness. It's on. It's a ceremony you don't want to miss.

Coming up, an exclusive look inside something called D23, the ultimate fan event. And before we go to break, it's almost time to get moving for a good cause in less than a month. Thousands will hit the streets of Raleigh for the annual ALS walk. Registration now open for anyone who wants to join the ABC 11 Stogner Strong Team. The ALS walk takes place on Saturday, April 25th at the Halifax Mall. Don Schwinnaker is going to be in attendance there. Are my gloves? Come on, heat.

Any day now? Winter is hard, but your groceries don't. have to be. This winter, stay warm. Tap the banner to order your groceries online at walla.com. Enjoy in-store prices without leaving your home. You'll find the same regular prices online as in-store. Many promotions are available both in store and online, though some may vary. When Westcham first took flight in 1996, the vibes were a bit different. People thought denim on denim was peak fashion, in-line skates were everywhere, and two out of three women rocked, the Rachel. While those things stayed in the 90s, one thing that hasn't is that fuzzy feeling.

feeling you get when WestJet welcomes you on board. Here's to WestJetting since 96. Travel back in time with us and actually travel with us at westjet.com slash 30 years. New here at 11, the countdown is on to D23, the ultimate Disney fan event. It's a three-day affair in Anaheim, California, and August. And this year, a big part of the celebration

will be honoring the new Disney legends. On the Red Carpins, George Phonacchio, was treated to a little preview. We have an action-packed plan all the way from the opening doors on Friday morning. to the closing doors on Sunday night. At a gathering on the Disney Lotten Burbank, we got the goods on this summer's D-23

the Ultimate Disney fan event. There will be new legends among us, Disney legends, and they are ESPN's Chris Berman, super producer Jerry Bruckheimer, actress and singer Susan Egan, animator Eric Goldberg, actress Anne Hathaway,

Imagineer Kim Irvine, whose mom has her own Disney history, Her mother is Madame Leota in Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction. Pretty incredible. Also becoming a Disney legend, actor Dwayne Johnson. That trio of singers known as Jonas Brothers, songwriter and actor Lynn Manuel Miranda, actor Alan Tudick, and former Disney CEO Bob Iger. Jody Benson is a Disney legend class of 2011. I know each and every one of them have been holding on to the secret for several months. So it's really hard to be quiet about it since November.

So today's the day. As we've seen in years past, this D-23 event is packed with Disney fun. And there's always news about company projects from TV and movies to sports and experiences. And let's not forget the archives. While showing us what's in the future, Disney also always celebrates its past at this convention. For the very first time, we're calling it, Walt Disney Archives uncreated. So we're actually going to bring a warehouse from the Walt Disney Archives

onto the show floor at the Anheim Convention Center so you can explore the aisles of the Walt Disney Archives warehouse. Crates, costumes, props, all kinds of memorabilia will be on display. In Los Angeles, George Pinocchio for ABC News. Back here in the Triangle tonight, new pictures are capturing the stunning exit for NC State basketball coach Will Wade. Today he announced he is heading back to LSU after just one season in Raleigh. Coach Wade spent 366 days as the Wolfpack head coach.

Fans tracked a private flight from Baton Rouge to RDU where Wade arrived there at the private terminal at the airport and then left without addressing reporters or fans. Will Wade finishes his brief tenure at NC State with a 20 and 14 record. He's now the shortest tenured coach in program history. I will say this, Dean Smith retired as a Tar Hill. Roy Williams retired as a Tar Hill. Huber Davis was going to retire a Tar Hill. Hill. Whoever we come in, they have to want to retire

a tall hill. I got you. I don't care what that means. You have to... Unc. Legend, Kenny the Jet Smith, speaking out about the firing of head basketball coach Hubert Davis. During the halftime show of tonight, Sweet 16 matchup between Purdue and Texas, Smith called that firing disrespectful. He continued to praise Davis

and emphasize the importance of Carolinas. This episode is brought to you by FedEx. These days, the power move isn't having a big metallic credit card to drop on the check at a corporate launch. The real power move is leveling up your business with FedEx intelligence and accessing one of the biggest data networks powered by one of the biggest delivery networks.

Level up your business with FedEx, the new power move. Witness news. All right. Seven o'clock tomorrow night. They're in the nation's capital. We'll all be watching our final team in the triangle. That's going to do it for us here tonight. Thanks so much for watching.

Remember the news is always on at ABC11.com. and we hope to see back here tomorrow night at 11. Good night. ABC 11 eyewitness news is sponsored by Capitol Chevrolet. Together, let's drive. Shop capitalchevrolet.com.