ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - May 15, 2026

Episode Date: May 16, 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, a body found in Jordan Lake. Deputies are on scene tonight after someone called in that gruesome discovery, what we're learning from investigators. Also breaking right now in Durham, police on the scene of reports of shots fired. Take a look at the video on your screen there. You can see just how large their response is in that area.

Those stories and more coming up, but we begin tonight with weather because we are about to see some really intense heat this weekend and it will linger for days. The roaring 90s will arrive on Sunday with no plans to leave. Good evening and thanks so much for joining us here for the News at 11. I'm Lauren Johnson. Steve has a night off. If you like the heat, you are going to love this weekend. Temperatures will be summer like tomorrow and it only goes up from there and with it comes humidity. Chief meteorologist Don Swinnaker in the First Alert forecast center to warn us about it all. And good evening to you, Lorne. Yeah, the humidity will hold off until we get into next week, but the heat is here starting tomorrow.

Live look at First Alert Doppler net. Not seeing any showers out there. Actually, pretty nice evening to be outside. Numbers running in the 60 still on the self-help sky cam. Looking into downtown Fayetteville, winds are calm. Numbers from across the region tonight. It's a mild evening across the area. 51 in Roxborough. It's 9 degrees warmer Raleigh. It's 60, 62 in Durham. 59, Fayetteville, 55 in Golsborough, 54 out your door in Wilson, and 58 in Carborough.

So let's first alert you to tomorrow with the fast forward forecast. Today we made it up to 78. We had sunshine, one or two high clouds working through. As you go through tonight into tomorrow, we'll see a few more high clouds working in. But the heat starts to turn up. We'll be in the mid-80s tomorrow, those 90s in on Sunday. We'll talk more about that in your first alert seven-day forecast and how long it sticks around. Plus, we actually have a chance of rain in the seven-day.

We'll tell you when coming up. Lauren. All right, Don, thank you. We are following breaking news in Durham tonight. A woman is in the hospital after shooting on the city's east side. Durham police say officers responded to the 3,500 block of Century Oaks Drive just after 9.30 tonight. They found an adult woman who'd been shot there. Fortunately, she is expected to be okay.

At this time, the investigation is active and no further details are being released. We're also following some breaking news in Raleigh, a person is dead after being hit by a car near Wake Me. Raleigh police say it happened around 9 o'clock on Newburn Avenue near Shanta Drive. The pedestrian was hit by a vehicle and did not survive that crash. At this time, it's unclear if any charges will be filed. New at 11, Chatham County deputies are investigating tonight after a body was found in Jordan Lake. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to the area near the inside. see 751 bridge around 7 o'clock tonight after someone spotted a body in that water.

The circumstances surrounding the discovery remain under investigation. However, authorities say there is no known threat to the public. New at 11, a 12-year-old boy and a teenager facing murder charges tonight after police say they killed a Johnston County man. Goldsboro Police say 42-year-old Edward Duncan Jr. of Smithfield was shot and killed May 7th on Vanderbilt Circle. Tonight investigators are calling a 16-year-old and a 12-year-old and a 2nd. 12-year-old, their suspects in the murder. Detectives received a tip. The 16-year-old was in class at Goldsboro High School, prompting a lockdown as officers arrived to the school to make the arrest. The teen left campus before officers arrived. He was later located and taken into custody,

charged with one count of murder. That 12-year-old was found at his Goldsboro home and is charged with murder, larceny of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. He's now in custody at a juvenile detention facility. Tonight we're following new details in the case against a Broughton high school teacher charged with child sex crimes. Stephen Coles is now facing 19 charges, six more than when he was first arrested. The I-team has uncovered new court documents revealing the alleged abuse of one victim span nearly a decade from 2005 until 2014 occurring at least six times during that period. Prosecutors say Coles allegedly abused three different victims in total. Coles has taught at Broughton High School since 2016. However, Wake County School says the alleged abuse

did not take place on campus. One of the things that really helps the prosecution in a case like this is corroboration. That is, either do you have more victims, do you have physical evidence? Do you have another witness? Raleigh police say this investigation is still ongoing. Coles is due back in court on Monday. New at 11, a Benson nursing home is still intact tonight after a car plowed into the back of the building. Take a look at the pictures there on your screen.

the emergency crews responded to Liberty Commons nursing home on NC Highway 242 north, finding an SUV had crashed into the rear of that building. Neither the driver nor anyone inside the nursing home was hurt. Benson Police are investigating the cause of that crash. In downtown Raleigh, a driver crashed into a restaurant's patio space. It happened at Bitter Sweet. An owner tells eyewitness news she's thankful nobody was there at the time. Raleigh police say they are still investigating and there has been no arrest.

And in Johnston County, a car crashed into a grocery store in Clayton. Chopper 11 flying over the Lowe's food store along US 70. Police say the car crashed into a brick column outside the store. You can see the damage left behind there. The driver also hit another vehicle. The first driver was taken to the hospital with injuries, but the second driver was not hurt. Authorities have not said what led up to the crash. They do say the building remains structurally sound.

New tonight, drivers are putting it in high gear for the weekend ahead for some. It means nearby road trips for others. It could mean a trip to the coast. No matter where you go, it's going to cost you right now. The average price of gas in North Carolina is $4.21. That's about 30 cents lower than the national average. But higher gas prices have peaked interest in EVs. Tonight, Jemise Price talked to owners, new owners of these EVs, who say they have no regrets, Jemise.

Lauren, no buyer's remorse over here. those drivers say that they made the switch right on time with gas prices being up by 35 cents per gallon than just a month ago. But let's not forget, they are still paying at those EV charging stations significantly less. And the savings they tell me have been worth it. Gas is not cheap. And I don't think that it's coming down anytime soon. That's why Troy Dye is glad he made the switch to an electric vehicle. And more drivers are doing the same. A cars.com survey. found 52% of car shoppers said rising gas prices have led them to consider a full EV or plug-in hybrid vehicle. It's really worth it.

It's not only saving Troy money, but making him some too. I was doing Uber with my old car, and it was a lot, especially with the oil changes. We met Troy tonight charging up his equinox before he started his Uber shift. If you can find a place where you can charge overnight for a lot cheaper, it's really worth it. So you actually can make more profit. And then people think it's cool to ride an electric car, so the tips look different, too. Lisa Evans was also charging up. Two and a half years, I have not been to a gas station at all.

She told me her EV works for in-state trips to the mountains or the beach. My car usually goes almost 300 miles on a full charge. And there's certain areas like up in the mountains. You have to be really careful because the mountains you lose more of your energy. sometimes. Even with the inconveniences, Lisa says it's worth it because of the pain at the pump that hasn't let up since the war in Iran started. The national average of gas is $4.52 per gallon. Here in North Carolina, drivers are paying $4.21. A month ago, it was $3.86. It's been getting a little worse. It takes me about normally $20 to fill my tank, and then it's about $42 and I was at a quarter of a tank. So, yeah, it's been frustrating. Drivers like Shayla say the increases have stretched their budgets.

I don't make a whole lot of money, so as is. And so we're already struggling enough in this economy. So it takes a little bit more out of my pocket than I have to budget for. While gas prices are fueling the EV demand, Ken Hewning, CEO of Covers Steel Outdoor Protective Cover said EVs have been more susceptible to rodent damage. And I experienced it firsthand because I had my BMW I8, I eaten by twice, $25,000 of damage because BMW I8 is a hybrid electric vehicle and they got into the electric part and that was really bad. But even the critters won't keep Troy from driving his electric vehicle. I feel good. I've made the purchase with the EV.

All right, Lauren, so Sean and Shayla, who I met at the gas station, they tell me they know they would. be able to save more by switching to an EV, but they're not ready just yet to make that change. What about you, Lauren? Is that something you're considering? Listen, Jemise, I filled up and the sticker shock has me thinking. I will tell you that definitely has me thinking. James, thank you. So to come here at 11 o'clock of firefighters dead and several others are hurt following a massive explosion inside a lumber mill in Maine. Next, what we're learning from the scene as the search and rescue for more survivors continues to unfold. And Don, checking those temperatures outside right now. Yeah, big warm up headed in over the next couple of days.

We'll talk about that, and we'll first alert you to your chance for rain in the seven-day forecast coming up. All right, Don, thank you. And a quick reminder, ABC 11 is your home for the Stanley Cup playoffs. This weekend, you can scout the Carolina Hurricanes next opponent. The Montreal Canadiens facing off against the Buffalo Sabres. Montreal leads the series 3-2. The winner of the series will travel to Raleigh next week to face the Canes. Game 6, Saturday, 8 p.m.

Right here on ABC 11. Great news. The federal EV rebate is back. Eligible customers get up to $5,000 with the federal EVAP rebate on select 2027-volt and 2026 Equinox EV models. Visit your local Chevrolet dealer today for more details. Staples Preferred Business Membership. Built for busy business owners. Because you've got bigger things to think about.

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We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. Fire investigators in Maine are looking for answers after a massive explosion in a fire at a lumber company. At least 10 people were injured, including firefighters and first responders. The severity of their injuries unclear right now. now. ABC's Alex Stone with the story tonight.

Workers and firefighters hurt after an explosion and fire ripped through this lumber company in Maine. It's remote about 90 miles northeast of Portland. The fire broke out just after 10 a.m. Flames moving through Robin's lumber mill. The roof collapsed. Firefighters trying to dampen the flames

by pouring water on what's left of the building. Waldo County, Maine, sending every fire department for an all-hands response. In Moldo County, most of our fire departments are made up of volunteers. They're awfully incredible, dedicated individuals. At least three fire trucks were destroyed in the blast. I walked up to this very chaotic scene initially, and not because of the efforts of the first responders, but because of the magnitude of the fire.

The owner of the lumber company, which was founded in the late 1800s, is devastated. A hugely devastating day for the family. We feel for the first responders, the family, the employees. Investigators are now on scene searching for a cause of the explosion, but firefighters say the focus right now is on the injured and their families. Alex Stone, ABC News, Los Angeles. Another celebration today in the recovery from Hurricane Helene, Governor Josh Dine, and state leaders marking the grand reopening of Lake Lour.

It's been closed for nearly a year and a half, reopening just in time for the summer season. This simply would not have happened if it had not been the incredible dedication of the Army Corps of Engineers. Our team of project managers, quality assurance monitors, and our contractors were here seven days a week. And I don't think anyone misses not seeing the amount of dump trucks and excavators rolling up and down the roads. at our height. It was about 110 trucks that were working doing about three turns a day, removing just the scale of sediment and debris. Governor Stein continues to call for more federal recovery funding. He's also seeking $792 million from the state in his budget proposal. Okay, if you do not have plans this weekend,

listen up because there are events happening just in about every corner of the triangle. Let's start with this one. Organizers say excitement surrounding the festival. We're talking about the Bimbe Festival remains high in this year's headliner, hip hop legend, Dougie Fresh. He headlines back in 2012, so he was hyped about Bimbe as well, even was that 14 years later, to come back again. So we're very excited to have him, and we have an entire lineup of local artists. Dougie Fresh set to take to stage at 6 p.m. The festival happening as the city is still collecting cash from the 2024 Monica mix up. Two years ago, the city of Durham paid booking agent Christopher Weeks, 37,000.

thousand dollars to bring her to Bimbe as the headliner. The singer claimed she was never contacted nor did she agree to come. So Weeks was ordered to repay the money. Today the city attorney's office told I witness news to date he has repaid the city $24,200. Mr. Weeks has an outstanding balance of $12,800, which he is continuing to pay down. Also happening this weekend, there's a celebration of North Carolina's agriculture industry. The got to be NC Festival returning to the state fairgrounds. There is a tractor parade, carnival, rides, games, classic fair food, music, and much more. That festival runs today through Sunday. Also this weekend, it's the annual Durham Greek Festival. That free family-friendly event will take

place at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church on Highway 751. You can enjoy a wide range of traditional Greek dishes and desserts along with Greek wine and beer. There will also be music and dancing performances and a marketplace of Greek vendors. People come for the fabulous food, but they stay for the fun. Entertainment is incredible. We have dance performances. Greek music will get everybody up dancing. The festival runs tomorrow from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All right. If you're going to get up on your feet dancing at the Greek festival. There you go. Take a portable fan because it will be toasty. It is going to be warm this weekend. We're talking 90s by Sunday. We'll talk more about that in just a moment. Let's show you the one big thing tonight. The one thing you take away from the weather 14. And tonight, that one big thing is a number, 48 degrees.

That's how much we're going to climb over the next couple of days. We were at 44 this morning. We're on a way to 92, 48 degrees warmer by Sunday afternoon. We'll be in the 80s tomorrow. We check on that seven day by Monday, 93, Tuesday, 22, Wednesday, 93. The last time we had four days in row in the 90s in May was May of 2022. Live look on first alert Doppler net tonight scanning the sky is not seeing any rainfall out there. So we take a live look. Level 7 is packed out on the patio tonight.

Great night to be sitting out there having a beverage. 62, mainly clear and winds are calm. Let's talk about what we're seeing as far as Maniota Murphy tonight. 58 at the coast, 55 right now down at ECU, 57 up in Chase City. Triad still in the 60s. 62 out in Nashville. They'll see a warm weekend. for our friends watching down in Atlanta tonight.

Let's look at the latest overnight forecast. Those numbers falling into the 50s and 40s. Normal is 57. We'll be down to 53 in Raleigh, 51 in Durham and 53 in Fayetteville. Wake up tomorrow morning, going for a walk or run, your fitness forecast. Shows those numbers jumping 55, 7 o'clock by 9 o'clock. We're in the 60s. And by noon, that's supposed to be 77.

It's getting so warm. It's working its way off there. But we are going to warm it up. tomorrow and even warmer on Sunday. Satellite radar composite. A couple of high clouds drift through. That's all. We had some showers in West Virginia earlier tonight. Strong storms out in parts of Iowa, strong storms out in parts of Oklahoma and Texas. But unfortunately, this high pressure that's going to give us the heat is going to force all that moisture up to the north and keep it away from us. We stay dry. Your first alert, predictor, forecast model as we go through tonight into tomorrow.

You'll wake up tomorrow with temperatures in the 50s, quickly jumping. into the 60s. Any morning plants look great. By the afternoon, we'll see those numbers climbing into the 80s. Then as we get into Sunday morning, we'll start in the 60s again. But look at the warm up. 90s return as we get into the afternoon on Sunday and they stick around. Surface map shows that high pressure sliding off to the east. High is clear out here in the ocean, but it's going to push that warm air up into us. It's going to do two things. One, it's going to keep us warm. And two, it acts like a wall. So here, The southerly winds, you're going to take any moisture. They're going to force it up to the north.

And that's what's going to keep the rain away for a while. And that heat stays with us until that high finally starts to move east. We see a boundary working, but not until next Wednesday or Thursday. And that finally will bring us the chance at rain. Forecast looks like this for tomorrow. 85 in Durham, 86, Raleigh, 86 in Fayetteville. back to that seven-day forecast. And you can see 92 on Sunday, Monday 93, Tuesday 92, Wednesday 93. And then Wednesday night into Thursday, finally some scattered storms, some rain and some cooler temperatures,

70s by the end of next week. Right, Don. Hydrate and check on your neighbors. That's what you need to do. You bet. Don, thank you. Still ahead. Pay up Pennsylvania, how the governor there is making good on his friendly bet with our governor after the canes swept the flyers. and there's a picture to prove it. A Wake County principal is now North Carolina's principal of the year. That's Dr. Mariah Walker wiping tears away there. She leads the Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy. She learned about her new title at the awards luncheon held at the Umstead Hotel in Carrie this afternoon. Under Dr. Walker's leadership, students have achieved a 100% graduation rate for the past four years

and exceeded growth benchmarks for two years. My role each and every day is to make sure that parents, know that their child is going to be celebrated, be loved, and when they drop them off to go to work or go do whatever they need to do, that there's someone standing in that gap to celebrate them, teach them, and challenge them to be ultimately the best version of themselves. Dr. Walker will spend this school year traveling the state as an ambassador for the profession. She gets financial support from Wells Fargo and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In addition to her award, Dr. Walker gets a mobile device from Lenovo, a gift from the Carolina Hunger Initiative, and a custom-made NC principal of the year ring.

All right, when you make a bet, you've got to keep your promise and pay up, right? Well, the governor of Pennsylvania is doing just that for a friendly wager between NC governor, Josh Shapiro in a post on X. Shapiro posting right there, a bet's a bet, I guess, showing him rocking that Canes jersey against his will. The cane swept the Philadelphia Flyers in four games. Governor Shapiro goes on to say he's sending it back to Raleigh. So Governor Stein can get some use out of it. of it and we know he will when the Canes finally learned their opponent for the Eastern Conference

Finals could begin as early as next Tuesday, Trey. Mr. Shapiro did not look very happy. He didn't, but you got to do what you got to do. You do, and his team, they didn't really have a chance. At all. You were up there for the action too. Yes, and they did not win a game. So it was a smile a little bit.

Right. At least we sent to the Jersey. Look, we finally have a schedule for next round for the Cain's sort of. Yes. We'll explain more when we've come. back with sports. Now, AI is moving fast across the enterprise.

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UNC and NC State Baseball have been meeting on the diamond for 86 years, eight decades of dueling it out with more than bragging rights on the line. Tonight, no different. A win would really strengthen state's case into the NCAA tournament, but UNC having none of that first batter, of the game is Jake Schnaffer and he rings one deep. Lead off home run gives Carolina the instant lead. And in the second inning, they just continued to pour it on.

Duke transfer, making Winslow doubling down the left field line. State would battle back and get a few runs of their own. They actually got within a few, but UNC continues to push. Atari Hills wins 17 to 7 and seven innings. They take the series over NC State. I thought our bats collectively from Jake Schaffner setting the tone. First pitch, home run. I thought everybody.

I didn't think we gave away any at bats tonight. You know, a really great team. Credit to our players, our coaching staff, having our guys ready. They knew that it's hard over here when they knew we'd have to take some punches. Everyone was resilient. You know, they didn't give up. They didn't let the pitcher get in their head or, you know, make them chase. Everyone stayed within the approach and stayed on the barrel.

The Durham Regional, this was their first game against how. Howard and they went off. Six home runs in five innings, including number 100 for the team on the season. That's a new program record. They beat Howard 10 to one via the run rule. Duke advances to the winner's side of the bracket. They'll take on Arizona tomorrow at 1 p.m. And hey, remember these guys? Yeah, it's a hockey team. They're still around. The canes were back on the ice today after having Thursday off. It's now been six days since their last game to wait. will only get longer as Montreal and Buffalo are still playing in the other East semi-final line. If the Canadians win tomorrow, they will be here on Tuesday, Tuesday or Thursday, the two days we're looking at for game one. Trey, right in the middle of our 90-degree weather. That's right.

Hot outside, cold inside. Trey, thank you. And thank you at home for watching. That's going to do it for us tonight. Jimmy Kimmel Live is up next. Have a great night and a good weekend and stay safe. ABC 11 eyewitness News is sponsored by Capitol Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.

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