ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - May 17, 2026

Episode Date: May 18, 2026

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Right now, live coverage from your local newsleader, 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. Well, right now at 11th, Central North Carolina, getting a taste of summer. The 90s arrived for us this weekend. And spoiler alert tonight, it only goes up from here with the humidity tagging along. Today families across the triangle looking for relief from the heat. I get so tired because so, because so hot. Oh, Iwinness news speaking with some of those families as they looked for ways to beat the heat. You are watching eyewitness news at 11 this Sunday evening.

I'm Dwan Hoggard. I thank you so much for choosing us tonight. Now our top story and our time together this evening is of course the heat. We saw record breaking temperatures today and we could see near record heat to start our school and our work weeks. So for that meteorologist Cruz Medina, you're joining us now. And how long is this heat expected to just stick around? Well, it's going to stick around at least through Wednesday, Duan. So we're talking 90 or above.

But speaking of the 90s, today we got to 94 degrees at RDU, and that shattered the previous record of 92, set back in 1899. So that's over a 100-year record that was broken today. And again, this heat's going to continue. So tonight, tipters are still in the 70s at this time. The overnight lows only dropping to 67. and Raleigh. So it's going to be very mild as you step out the door on your Monday. And for the afternoon, I don't think mild is quite the word to describe the forecast.

We're going to go with hot. So low to mid 90s, expected tomorrow, lots of sunshine and you're going to notice the humidity throughout tomorrow. But it's not just here in central North Carolina. This is a statewide thing. So 90s from Greenville down to Fayetteville, Charlotte, Greensboro, and the mountains, middle to upper 80s there, and then very warm along the coast as well. So these warm tipters, again, they're not just a thing for our area. We're going to see this stick around as we go into the rest of the week as well. But tipters are eventually going to come down as we see our next front enter the region. And that's going to bring us a much needed chance of rain.

We're going to talk about that coming up in your seven-day forecast. Could be pretty wet leading up to the holiday weekend. Duwon. All right, Cruz, thanks so much. See you again shortly. And as Cruz just mentioned, this is just the start of a mini heat wave. As temperatures continue to rise, many families were out. today looking for ways to beat the heat.

And one of those places was Durham. That's where we find our Tom George live for us right now. Tom, you had a chance to get out there in the community, talk with folks trying to enjoy the day and beat the heat. What else did they share with you? And what did you see? Yeah, well, they were hoping that the splash pads were going to be open a little bit earlier, but instead they were having to look for any shade that they could. And it sounds like they're going to have to do that the next couple of days as that heat wave continues.

As the heat dials up, families winding down on a Sunday at Forest Hill. Park in Durham. Definitely finding a shady spot in a blanket and once the splash pads turn on, we'll probably be here during the evening hours. But even as the sun was setting, they were still feeling it. Yeah, it's definitely a lot of water, a lot of shade, bug spray, and yeah, that's it, and taking water bricks. Some were upset this splash pad wasn't turned on just yet, so instead finding any shade they could and kicking around the soccer ball.

Now, we are dying every time we play soccer. I get so tired because... So it goes so hot. It's very important to take the children. Their mom tells me she's been watching them and has their cooler, stocked up with water. Something experts say is the right thing to do

as we head into this heat wave. According to NCDHS, their biggest tips to staying cool, staying hydrated, drinking more water than you think you need. Limit your time outside. We're light clothing and avoid the peak of day from around 11 to 4. And stay cool.

If you don't have access to AC and it gets 95 degrees or higher, find a cool place to go during the hottest parts of the day, like a mall or a library. And that's what they always say. Water, water, water, more than you think you might need. And if you're already feeling thirsty, it means that you're already dehydrated. So definitely good to be aware of that.

Also, they say important to watch for those signs of heat-related illnesses. If you start feeling lightheaded, dizzy, nausea, or start sweating, definitely want to keep an eye on that. But obviously, good tools to keep in mind as we head into this hot week ahead. Reporting Live, Tom George, ABC 11, howitzer news. All great tips there again. Thanks so much. Over in Wake County, pool season is just days away. The county's four summer pools will open on May the 23rd. That includes the pool at Lake Johnson in West Raleigh. There are three other pools. Those are Biltmore Hills, Longview Pool, and the Ridge Road Pool. Be sure to check the city's website for hours. Meantime. Public pools in Fayetteville will open Monday, May the 25th, just in time for Memorial Day fun. There are four public pools across the city. Chalmers Pool is currently. undergoing maintenance, however, for facility upgrades.

And as temperatures continue to increase, now is a good time to download the ABC 11 mobile app, and from there we will send you all in the weather headlines directly to your devices. You also have access to check the first Lord Doppler net and the seven day forecast to plan your day and the week ahead. Well, tonight, the search continues for a kayaker who disappeared on Roanoke Rapids Lake.

Officials are sharing this video with us of a water rescue last week after two kayakers went missing. went missing. This video from gas and fire and rescue shows crews pulling a man out of the Roanoke Rapids Lake Thursday night. Officials say they responded after reports of a man in the water yelling for help. They were able to locate that man who was drifting in the water with the live fest. He was thankfully able to be rescued. However, at least one other kayaker is still missing tonight. Officials say search and rescue efforts continue as this is an ongoing investigation. Well in Raleigh, police are looking for the person. They say fired shots in a southeast Raleigh neighborhood. It happened around midnight on Putnam Road near Battle Bridge Road. Police say seven to eight rounds hit homes there in the area. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Well, tomorrow, a Wake County teacher charged with child sex crimes is expected back in court tomorrow. 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 spanned nearly a decade from 2005 to 2014 and happening at least six times during that period. Prosecutors say Coles allegedly abused three different victims in total. He has taught a brought in high school since 2016. O.A County Schools says the alleged abuse did not take place there on the school campus. In Moore County, police making an arrest in a car chase that ended in a crash that sent several people,

including a young child to the hospital. We first brought this story to you yesterday. Authorities say a sheriff's deputy tried to pull over a driver just before noon near US 1 and Magnolia in the town of Aberdeen. Instead of stopping, deputies say the driver sped off. Just over a mile from there near US 1 in Saunders Boulevard in Southern Pines, that driver then slamming into multiple vehicles. 32-year-old Kendra Snipe was arrested and charged in connection. She is facing multiple charges, including felon. felony fling to elude arrest with a motor vehicle.

And right now she's being held at the Moore County Detention Center without bond. Well, happening tomorrow, a section of Western Boulevard and several ramps at its interchange with the beltline will reopen again after being closed for the weekend. The stretch of road has been closed since Friday night for construction. The road is set to reopen tomorrow morning at 5 o'clock. Well, next at 11, as a fragile ceasefire holds, President Donald Trump is renewing his threats to Iran. and a terrifying mid-air collision during an air show at an Air Force base. What we know tonight about that incident. And the skyrocketing gas prices are impacting holiday travel for many folks.

We're talking with drivers who say they've had to change their Memorial Day plans. And here's cruising again before we had to break. All right, temperature's tonight. Very, very warm. We are still well into the 70s at this hour, and it's going to be hot to start the week. But late in the week, we have a pattern change coming in. We could finally get some beneficial rainfall, but that could also impact your holiday plans for next weekend. We'll talk more about it coming up in your seven-day forecast after the break.

All right now at 11A, shocking mid-air collision during an air show at an Idaho Air Force base. Two naval jets colliding, a harrowing scene of sparks and debris flying right here as you see those jets descending. That accident happening at Mountain Home Air Force Base just outside of Boise, Idaho. The base was forced to go on lockdown after that incident. Tonight, here's ABC's Alison Kosick with those to tell. The terrifying scene unfolding during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base outside of Boise, Idaho. A pair of naval jets appearing to collide in mid-air two miles northwest of the base. Sparks and debris flying as the jets plummeted towards the ground before erupting in a ball of flames.

Four parachutes immediately deployed. aviators descending in front of the smoking wreckage. As onlookers watched, an announcer can be heard. There have been four good parachutes that were seen, and we ask that everyone remain where you are. A naval spokesperson confirms all four successfully ejected. They were evaluated by medical personnel and are in stable condition. The jets were EA 18G growlers, a variant of the FAA 18 family of aircraft. The Navy says first responders responded to the scene and the incident is now under investigation. Allison Kosick ABC News, New York. Well, tonight, police in Austin, Texas say two people are in custody after a series of shootings across the city.

Those shootings beginning late Saturday night and into early this morning. Police say the suspects were involved in 10 shootings. Two of those shootings happened at fire stations. Investigators say the shootings apparently were random attacks. people I ended up suffering gunshot wounds. One of those victims seriously hurt. The other is only having minor injuries. Authorities are still searching for one more person wanted in connection. President Donald Trump is issuing another warning to Iran as the push for a peace deal continues. The president sharing on social media saying, quote, they better get moving fast or there won't be

anything left of them. Just last week during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump saying the two agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz. I could say this with very, very strong conviction. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, not going to happen. Trump's warning comes as the UAE says they repelled a drone strike at a nuclear plant. The World Health Organization is calling the latest Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concerns. Health officials say at least 80 people have died amid a surge of more than 200 suspected cases.

There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this rare strain of the virus, raising additional concerns of potential across-border transmission. The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention said it will convene an urgent meeting to reinforce surveillance and response efforts. We are just days away from the start of a busy Memorial Day travel weekend, also known as the unofficial start of summer. But as the price of gas and everyday goods remains high, many are finding more affordable alternatives to travel. Our Bianca Holman reports. Filling up at the pump, everyone's seeing an increase. About $10 or so, on average. About $20.

The average price of a gallon of gas in North Carolina is $4.19, which is about $1.30 more per gallon than the same time last year, according to AAA. We spoke with drivers about prices impacting their Memorial Weekend plan. I was going to take my dogs stay Arizona, but now I'm going to take them to Asheville. What caused the change in destination? The price of gas and needing to travel with dogs. Jeremy Jones tells eyewitness news if his family were to travel, it would be in-state to Charlotte or the beach. No plans at all. Just hanging out with the kids, probably go to Dick's Park or something like that. And that's a great idea because Wad Hub ranks Raleigh-Cerry metro area among the top 20 summer travel destinations in the U.S.

We try to take them to marbles or something fun like that, you know, but if it's not too terribly hot, we do try to get them out. Like I said, Dix Park, since they have the new play area bike rides, the trails. But the prices are going up almost on everything. So Marina Bossetti tries to find ways to save. I kind of shop just around the edges of the supermarket. get the fresh produce, the cheese and meat, and I just stay out of the middle. Fortunately, hiking is cheap, and that's what the dogs really like to do. Folks already making a budget for their summer plans.

We're going to be going to St. Augustine with my family, so that'll be a pretty big drive. But we did just get another car, a new CRV, so it'll get a little bit better gas mileage than this guy. Bianca Holman, ABC 11, eyewitness news. And here's a look at the average price of gas here in Central North Carolina. According to AAA in Wake County, the average gallon will cost you about a $4.20. In Durham County, that figure is $4.1.1. Now in Commerland County, your average price per gallon of $4.7. Well, downtown Raleigh, turning into an art exhibition this weekend.

The annual art-splosure event was held on Fayetteville Street right in front of our downtown Raleigh, Iowa News Center. And the two-day event featured in art market with dozens of visual arts. artists from all across the country. And there was also a live music performances, activities for the family, for the kids, and several art installations throughout the downtown area. Today was the final day for the event.

So if you happen to go out to that event today, you know just how hot it was and that hot that you felt today is going to continue, right, Cruz? Oh, absolutely. So the heat is actually going to crank up starting the week, low 90s, all the way through Wednesday. So fill in like summer. And that means you're going to be breaking out

the shorts this week until the end of the week. That's when we finally will see some reprieve from this heat. But as far as the mini heat wave, our summer preview goes, this is once again through Wednesday. Our next cold front is going to arrive on Thursday. So that's when we start to see the temperature's backing down just a little bit. Shows and storms will return to our region. And as of right now, it's looking like it'll stay unsettled into Memorial Day weekend. So as you plan ahead. Make sure that you are checking back with us for updates each day as the timing and exact amounts of rainfall are uncertain at this time. And of course, we could see that change in the days to come. But for tonight, no rain expected. It will be warm, though, as you start your day off on Monday.

So heading out the door tomorrow, you don't need a jacket. Parents as you dress your kids, you might want to send them off to school with shorts and t-shirts for the afternoon. These tipters are going to soar into the low 90s. So recess is going to be pretty hot. for your kiddos tomorrow afternoon. By the time we get into early Tuesday, we're starting out near 70 once again. We could have some widespread fog across the region, especially for the triangle and point south.

So mainly the sand hills. Temperatures there will be slower to rise as we go throughout the morning, depending on how long that fog sticks around. And then by the afternoon, we should be pushing into the 90s once again on your Tuesday. So I was just mentioning this for recess tomorrow or really any time out on the playground tomorrow.

temperature's are going to get very hot, very quick. So not only will the playground equipment be hot, your kiddos will be hot, and also for all of you who own pets, specifically the dog owners tomorrow, and really any day when we're in the 90s, that's a day to stay off of the pavement as much as possible, especially when we're in the afternoon hours and peak heating. You don't want their pall pads burning on that pavement. Going into the middle of the week, the humidity will continue to rise as high pressure slides offshore.

winds are going to pump in some moisture off the Atlantic and then we're going to see moisture pool out ahead of the cold front itself and what I mean by pool is it's going to get stuck on the east side of this front so we are included in that region you're going to notice the humidity really rising throughout the day on Wednesday that will also coincide with possible record highs so we are forecasting 94 the old record is 96 so we could come pretty close to that but really that's going to be the case for the next three days so tomorrow Tuesday and Wednesday all within just a few degrees of our record high. So we'll see if we break them in time,

but I will say with these 90s in the forecast and humidity, it's probably gonna feel just a little bit hotter each of those days. So if you're gonna spend exterior periods of time outside, know that with it feeling pretty humid, you'll wanna take extra breaks in the shade and definitely make sure that you're staying hydrated, especially if you work outside.

Live look at downtown Raleigh tonight. City of Oaks at 79 degrees. That is also the case in Durham. 74 in Fayetteville and 77 in Goldsboro. For tonight, again, only cooling down into the middle to upper 60s. We will have a mainly clear sky tonight. And tomorrow, Tipter's sore into the low 90s. We could be near record.

And that's the case all the way through Wednesday. Your first alert seven-day forecast. Tipters will finally cool down a little bit as we go into Thursday. That's when the rain and storms arrive. By the time we get into Friday, dropping into the lower half of the 70s, that same front that I was showing you get stuck in our region. So that could keep rain chances in the forecast even as we go into Memorial Day weekend. So again, make sure you're checking back for updates throughout the week.

Doan. All right, Cruz, thanks so much. Well, next tonight, Deepak's Rising Stars, high school students from across Central Carolina taking center stage tonight. The two teens who took home the title of Best Actor and Actress. Well, tonight, the Durham Performing Arts Center shining the spotlight on some of Central North Carolina's top student performers at the annual Deepak Rising Star Awards. The event celebrates outstanding achievement in high school musical theater, recognizing students and school productions from across the region. This year's ceremony featured performances from 20 finalists competing live on stage for top honors, including Best Actor and Best Actress. Winners receiving scholarship prizes and advanced to the National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards in New York City.

Our very own Diane Wilson served as MC on the evening. And this year's winner for best actress was Molly Reeves from Cardinal Gibbons High School and Gabriel Emery from Wake Forest High School who won Best Actors. So congratulations to you both. And we do want to invite you to the Carolina Theater's 100th anniversary celebration. The nonprofit is preparing for one of its biggest fundraisers of the year, dancing like the Carolina stars. It's all happening this Wednesday, May the 20th at 5.30 p.m. in Durham. Seven well-known community leaders from local businesses and organizations. including our very own ABC 11, Vice President of Community Engagement, Monica Barnes, will take the stage in a high-energy dance competition, all to support the historic theater. Tickets are on sale right now. Just visit the Carolina Theater's website. ABC 11 is a proud sponsor of the event. And all new tonight, a Clayton couple has won the grand prize of America's funniest home videos,

and it's all because of a sassy spouse squabble caught on their front door camera. Take a look here. Don't tell me you failed. No, I'm not here picking weeds. Huh? I'm picking weeds. Oh, yeah, I fell. What'd you think I did?

I wouldn't just lay down any of the door. All right, there she goes. Look, whoop, whoop, whoops. Look, the Bun family previously won $120,000 for America's funniest home videos. And tonight, it took home the grand prize on the season finale, a vacation on the Disney Wish Cruise Line. Congratulations there to the United. the Bun family. All right. So they're going to enjoy themselves with that 120 and then the

Disney cruise. So look in studio right now we've got Trayvon miles and look before that one we were showing a little bit of that video from Deepak. I saw you over there doing a little bit of kid and play action. A little something. Yeah. I was super excited to see what Monica does. Yeah. She's one of my favorite people here at the station. Can't wait to see that. Definitely going to be watching for that. DeWan. You got to get over here because shortly we're going to be talking about Duke LaCross and what they pulled off earlier today. Also, Duke's softball moving on to another super regional. We'll talk about all of that and much more. A lot of winning going down in Durham when we come back with sports. Test scores and the news isn't so good. The alarming decline in testing numbers

we are seeing across the country and how students here are.