ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - May 14, 2026

Episode Date: May 15, 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. Right now at 11 disturbing allegations in a story in Wake County tonight, a teacher in court charged with sexually abusing multiple young victims. Several students showing up at that hearing. And tonight new details from the eye team about his connection to scouting America. And there is a new budget proposal for the town of Kerry, and it means property tax increases for homeowners, how the town plans to spend the additional money that comes in. But first, a promise of a pay raise may not be able to happen. Some Durham public school classified workers were anticipating a 12% pay raise approved by the school board. But a county budget reveals the money may not be there to give.

Thanks so much for joining us here. For the news at 11, I'm Lauren Johnson. Steve has a night off. Several dozen people gathered inside of Durham Church tonight begging county commissioners to come up with money they were promised. James Price listened in on that meeting as people shared extremely personal stories. Jemise, it's not a matter of wanting more money, but people saying they need more money to pay the bills. That's right, Lauren, every dollar count. So here's the deal.

These workers really love their jobs. They're showing up every day for these students ready to serve, but they told me that it's not enough and they barely can pay their bills. So tonight I heard those very personal stories. And for some of them, they are working two and three jobs, but it's still not enough. Her costume tells her story. I love my job. I do love my job and I love the kids that I serve and I love the community. A love story for the kids of Durham Public Schools.

For the last 32 years, Rietha Daniel Ruth has been behind the will of a school bus, but it's not the money that's kept her in the seat. When I looked at my finances, I'm not. even making enough to have a savings account to save towards that. So I have to work. Three jobs to make ends meet. We met her at the town hall organized by Durham Association of Educators. She was one of dozens who consider themselves the engines keeping Durham County Schools running and those same people say their engines are out of gas. You're not paying me enough to pay for $5 gallon gas. I'm not able to apply for public assistance but I still need to afford groceries.

The district's minimum wage is just over $17. A proposed 12% increase promised by the school board for classified workers would bring that number to $19.22. I should be able to retire in two years, but honestly, I'm no longer sure if retirement would be possible for me. Durham County Commissioners, Nita Alam and Stephen Valentine listened to their concerns. Commissioner Valentine says this budget cycle is proving to be challenging. Property tax revenues are down.

Sales tax revenues are down. And of course, you know, a number of years ago, occupancy tax here in Durham County went away. Went away completely. And so that money is dwindling down to nothing. And now the formula becomes try to make something out of nothing because love is the name of this game. The money has not kept me here.

It's just the love of my job. Now, county leaders issued a challenge to DPS to search and find more funding to help fill this gap. Now, you'll have the opportunity to weigh in on this budget at the next public hearing, May 26th. In Durham, Jemise Price, ABC 11, eyewitness news. So many personal stories told in that room tonight. Jamies, thank you. And New at 11, if you live in the town of Kerry, you could soon be paying more in property taxes. Interim town manager Russ Overton is proposing a budget with a tax rate increase of 3.75 cents per 100.

of assessed property value. That's about $240 per year for the average homeowner. The increase is to help support an additional $62 million in spending mostly earmarked for public safety. The town is also looking to hire an additional 21 police officers for the first time in 10 years. Carrie's town council will vote on the budget proposal in June. Also new at 11, Governor Josh Dine has appointed Wake Forest Town Council member Haseeb Fatni to represent District 18 in the state Senate. The district covers parts of Wake and Granble County. state Senator Terrence Everett resigned from that seat last month, creating the vacancy. It is a chilly night across the triangle as we take a live look at Raleigh and Durham,

but the cooler temperatures aren't sticking around for long. Don joining us with the first alert to near record-breaking heat that starts moving in by the weekend. Doesn't feel like it tonight, though, Don. No, it doesn't. As a matter of fact, we're on our way to a night that will be about 13 degrees below average. Tonight we'll go down to 44, normal for this time of years 57. But watch what happens by Sunday. Yeah, 92 degrees, almost a 50 degree swing. The average high is 80. We will go from well below average to 12 degrees above average by the end of the weekend.

Now, with those clear skies, it's dry out there tonight. Not much to show you in the way of rainfall. Live look on the first alert Doppler net, and we continue to stay dry across the area as we look live in the mutual tower sky cam, 55 clear on a northwest wind at five. So let's check your fast forward forecast. Today we saw 71 degrees, those blue sky. It was beautiful. Officially partly cloudy. Let's run it ahead to tomorrow. And as we get into tomorrow, more blue skies on the way. A fantastic finish to the week with sunshine. Temperatures in the upper 70s. But the heat starts to pour in on Saturday. We'll talk about that. We do have one chance for rain in the seven-day forecast. We'll cover that. Coming up in just a couple of minutes. Lauren. All right, Don, we'll see you then. Thank you. A man who was driving drunk led police on a chase through three counties. He's now facing multiple charges. The Samson County Sheriff's Office has 47-year-old.

James Parker Jr. fled from deputies Tuesday night, leading officers on a chase through Samson, Harnett, and Johnston counties before crashing on Woods Crossroads Road and Benson behind Gallet Motor Spokes Park. Parker's blood alcohol level registered at 0.17 more than twice the legal limit. His car was seized under North Carolina's run-your-done law. Parker's driver's license has also now been suspended for at least 30 days. Also new at 11, a Smithfield man is facing charges for pointing lasers at planes near Johnston County Regional Airport. Police arrested 49-year-old Alexander Tyson Ertso yesterday. They say Ertzow had been pointing lasers in high-beam lights at aircraft. Victims include Duke Lifelight and the Johnston County Sheriff's Office.

Ertso is charged with eight felony counts of illegal use of a laser device. Tonight, the I-Team has new details after the arrest of a Wake County school teacher. He's behind bars facing more than a dozen child sex crimes. The I-team is learning this. brought and teacher also served with Scouting America, previously known as the Boy Scouts. And we're hearing from that organization tonight. John Dowding, live from the Raleigh eyewitness News Center. John, you've been digging around on the story all day. What have you learned?

Well, Lauren, Scouting, America tells us he is permanently banned from all of their activities. This comes after the organization learned of his arrest and the shot continues to spread among his students. I don't know if there was anything else. I'm sorry about all of this. Don't say, sir, don't, anything that you say will be used against you by the district attorney's office. Tonight, a Wake County teacher is behind bars, facing more than a dozen felony sex crimes charges involving children. Stephen Coles. Yeah.

Prosecutors say Stephen Coles faces 13 child sex crimes charges tied to incidents involving multiple victims over several years. Coles works as an automotive teacher at Broughton High School. The district telling families the alleged incidents did not have. happen at the school. Now the I team learning of Coles' involvement with a local scouting America troop. The organization taking swift action Thursday evening telling eyewitness news in a statement, quote, we are aware of the arrest of Stephen Coles. His membership in scouting has been revoked and he has been permanently prohibited from any participation in scouting programs. Way County School officials say they suspended Coles in 2022, but district officials could not reveal

the circumstances of what led to that suspension. Coles was not true. charged with a crime in 2022 and was later fully reinstated to his job at Broughton. Seemed pretty normal and then, you know, got this news and that was extremely shocking. Me and a bunch of my friends were extremely surprised. No idea what to think of it. I witnessed news speaking with students about their teacher's arrest. The students asked we not show them on camera. They're the people that's in the building around us almost every day, five days a week. So it's kind of shocking. No way County School says Coles is suspended with pay. He's currently being held in jail without bonds due back in court next month. Live from the Riley I witness news center.

I'm John Doutting. ABC 11, eyewitness news. John, I know you'll continue to follow developments on this story. Thank you. No bond for the man facing murder charges after a deadly stabbing on the American tobacco trail last month. Christopher Caldwell was in court today. He's charged with killing 44-year-old Howard Reed. Police say they found Reed on Fayetteville Street. This was the second deadly stabbing in the past month near the American Tobacco Trail. Caldwell will remain in jail without bond. His next data set for June 4th. Now at 11, Wayne County officials are warning residents tonight about scammers impersonating government workers.

The Wayne County Day reporting says fraudulent callers are posing as DRC staff and local law enforcement. The callers are then demanding money from residents and in some cases even offering to meet in person to collect the cash. The DRC wants to be clear. It does not charge fees of any kind. If someone calls or texts demanding payment and claims to be from the DRC or from local law enforcement, you're asked to hang up. Today the race to advance AI and strengthen the military

came to North Carolina, local and federal leaders, including Secretary of the Army, Daniel Driscoll, gathered at Fort Bragg for the Army's first defense critical infrastructure summit. They discussed major operational challenges related to drones and cybersecurity, including physical threats, cyber impacts, force projection dependencies, and information delays. Officials hope this collaborative approach will help partners quickly identify threats and alert the Army in real time. New at 11, the Supreme Court will allow women to access the abortion pill Miffa Prifestone through telehealth visits. For now, the justice has rejected lower court restrictions. While a lawsuit plays out, Louisiana is suing to change the FDA's rule on how Miffa Pristone can be prescribed. The

state is arguing against a Biden administration decision, ending a requirement for in-person prescriptions. Still to come at 11, how many more Americans are being monitored for potential hunter virus infections. Plus, students in the United States aren't making the grade. What's behind a major drop in reading and math scores all across the country? Plus, the latest drought monitor shows most of the state remains under severe to extreme drought conditions. And Don, checking those temperatures outside. It's a cool night tonight. We'll continue to see those cool temperatures through the overnight hours, but a huge warm-up to first alert you about in the seven-day forecast. That is coming up next.

ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. Now at 11, President Trump meeting with Chinese President Xi for a second round of talks. This is President Trump begins the final leg of his three-day trip to Beijing. The conflict in Iran, Taiwan, and trade have been at the top of those two world leaders' agenda. ABC's Melissa Adon has the latest on those talks. President Trump wrapping up his high-stakes trip to China. The president readying for another round of talks with President Xi Jinping. The White House saying trade and investment as well as artificial intelligence among their discussions.

China treating President Trump to an elaborate welcome display throughout his visit. The president heaping praise on his host and their quote, fantastic relationship, calling President Xi a friend. You're a great leader. I say it to everybody. You're a great leader. Sometimes people don't like me saying it. She taking a more formal tone. According to Chinese state media, beyond closed doors, she delivered a stark warning to the American president. Do not interfere in China's efforts to take over Taiwan. If handled poorly, the two countries will clash or even come into conflict, pushing the entire U.S.-China relationship

into a very dangerous situation. Taiwan is an independent democracy, but China is saying it belongs to them, threatening to take it by force, if necessary. Both leaders tight-lipped after that meeting. How were your talk, sir? It's great. Late place. Great place. Incredible. China is beautiful. As for the war in Iran, Trump requesting Xi uses influence over China's close ally to open the strait of her moves. It's unclear if Chi agreed to pressure Iran.

Back home, President Trump's critics sounding off. You know, Donald Trump has traveled to China on bended knee based on the fact that he has been consistently out-negotiated. Melissa Don, ABC News. We head live to Capitol Hill for a unique moment that played out there today. from both sides of the aisle coming together to pass a new rule. They agree to not be paid during government shutdowns. The move comes after two recent shutdowns that wrecked lives for so many Americans. A federal shutdown stretched on for 43 days and then there was a 76-day Homeland Security shutdown.

There are concerns. The move may be unconstitutional. If it holds, the measure would take effect after the 2026 midterms. Now to the latest on the Hunter virus outbreak, the CDC says at least 41 Americans and at least 12 different states are now being monitored for possible infection. That includes the 16 people exposed on the cruise ship that eventually saw an outbreak at sea. So far, no Americans have tested positive for a hunter virus. Meanwhile, that sick passenger in France remains in intensive care, relying on an artificial lung to survive. Still, health officials say the risk to the general public remains extremely low. A new report finds students across the country aren't making the grade when it comes to math and reading.

The study looked at reading and math scores for third through eighth grade students from 2009 until 2025. Researchers are calling it a reading recession after reading scores dropped in more than 80% of school districts compared to 10 years ago. Math scores dropped in 70% of districts. The group is saying social media is partially to blame for that decline. Less kids are reading and that has an impact on their vocabulary. They also blame a lack of testing, the ongoing teacher shortage and chronic absenteeism for that drop. Today, the latest drought monitors showed little to no improvement, roughly 60% of the state still in an extreme drought, and that includes 95% of Wake County. Eyewitness News spoke with John Bert, a ninth generation farmer in Fuqua Verena.

He grows hay and raises beef cattle. Bert says the lack of rain has made growing hay extremely difficult. He can't put down fertilizer, which means there's less hay to sell. In this case, I think we're kind of an uncharted territory, at least in my time farming, which has been about 25 or 30 years, I don't remember a spring that's been this dry. Level one water restrictions remain in place in Raleigh as the water level at Falls Lake remains well below normal. Raleigh Water says those restrictions could stay in place through next month. One thing's going to happen.

We're going to turn on the heat this weekend, but we're not going to turn on the water. There's none in the forecast. No, unfortunately, we have to go almost seven days before we see a chance of rain. We'll talk about that coming up. Let's talk about your one big thing tonight. And if there's one thing you take away from tonight's forecast, remember this, that the number one weather killer in the United States is heat. It's not flooding. It's not tornadoes.

It's not thunderstorms. It's heat. And I tell you this because we are headed in to several days in the 90s. Typical for us to get into the 90s, but this is the first real long stretch and we'll have humidity jumping up too. So please be prepared. Stay hydrated as we go Sunday, Monday into Tuesday. I know cold beer can taste great on. hot day but alcohol is tough to put in your body water the best thing you can do those

numbers in the 90s through next Wednesday live look on first alert Doppler net tonight scanning the sky is not seeing any rainfall to deal with we're looking live in north hills quiet night not even a car on the street there 55 right now clear skies in a northwest wind at five maniota murphy 60 still down at ECU right this hour we've got 49 out in the triad 55 here in raleigh 60 in lumberton charlotte shawley checks in at 54, 50 in Asheville, and it's still almost 70 as you get down into Charleston. Let's show you what's happening with the overnight forecast. We'll go from the 50s and 60s into the 40s. This will be the coolest night of the next week. If not, the coolest night for a very long time.

And we're getting to that time of year when the 40s start to go away. 41 in Roxburgh tonight, 44 Smithfield, 46, Raleigh, 48 in Fayetteville. Let's talk about tomorrow if you're headed for a walk or run, that fitness forecast shows temperatures, In the upper 40s to start today, we'll be in the 50s through 10 o'clock, 60s through lunchtime. We show you the latest satellite radar composite. Almost looks like I forgot to turn it on. I didn't. We just don't have any clouds in the sky. High pressure dominates the weather all the way back into Kansas and Oklahoma tonight.

That high pressure slides across us. It'll keep us relatively clear. Start tomorrow in the 40s. We recover nicely into the 70s. This is 4 o'clock. And I'll tell you, tomorrow evening is going to be great. headed to a Friday night concert, maybe dinner on your favorite patio, perfect night for it. As we go through the overnight, a few high clouds will drift through. Saturday is dry.

We start in the 60s, and then it gets even warmer. That high slides off to the east will be in the mid-80s on Saturday and the 90s return on Sunday. Forecast looks like this for tomorrow. Temperatures across the region in the 70s, barely a cloud in the sky, whether you're in Durham, Raleigh or Fayetteville. Your first alert, seven-day forecast shows those numbers. continuing to jump. Seventies tomorrow, 80s on Saturday, Armed Forces Day. Active members of the Armed Forces, we are so thankful you are serving right now.

Sunday, possible record, 92 degrees, but here's the problem with those 90s. We've had 90s already this year, but starting Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday, we amp up the humidity and we'll see feels like temperatures mid to upper 90s by the middle part of next week. So get ready for the first real long hot stretch. Yeah, that means the bills will go up also, right, Dawn. crank in the AC. All right, Don, thank you. Don, we know this. We all love living in North Carolina, but people in one town can walk a little taller tonight after a new report names it as the best place to live in the entire state, and it's right here in the triangle. All right.

Eyewitness News. We are Local News Weeknights 4 to 630 and 11. The U.S. Postal Service releasing a new set of forever stamps for America 250. They feature different stages of life of Bald Eagles, the country's national bird. Those stamps are illustrated by noted Ornithologist David Allen Sibley, Sibley says most people don't know much about our national bird, and he hopes these stamps spark some curiosity and a greater appreciation for the majestic creature. Congress designated the bald eagle as the national bird in 1782. They are native to North America and were selected to embody American ideals like freedom, courage, and strength. Meanwhile, we're learning more about how the City of Raleigh plans to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.

The city will host a first in freedom parade on July 4th. The 1.4 mile parade through the streets of downtown Raleigh will feature groups from all across the state. It will start at 9.30 a.m. Okay, have you heard the news tonight? The town of Kerry has been named the best place to live in North Carolina. That's according to a new report from niche. Carrie earned top marks for public schools, good for families, and health and fitness. Carrie not the only Wake County Town in the top five.

Morrisville earned the third spot. Apex comes in at number four. Lots of bragging rights for the trying. Okay. When I sell my business, I want the best tax and investment advice. I want to help my kids, and I want to give back to the community. Then it's the vacation of a lifetime. I wonder if my out of office has a forever setting.

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How about that one? I like that team. Trey, thank you. And thank you at home for watching. That's going to do it for us here tonight. Jim McKemel Live is up next. Have a great night and stay safe. ABC 11 Eyewitness News is sponsored by Capital Chevrolet. Together, let's drive. Shop capital Chevrolet.com.