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

Episode Date: September 25, 2026

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Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, preparing you for tomorrow starting tonight and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. Tonight on eyewitness news is an unusually powerful storm for this time of year continues to gain strength off the east coast. The storm has already battered coastal communities in parts of North Carolina like the outer banks leading widespread flooding. more than 40 million people are expected to feel the impacts of this North Easter throughout the weekend. And the effects could mean powerful winds, heavy rain, and some strong flooding. And as you know, here in Central North Carolina, the temperatures lingered in the 60s today for kind of a cool kickoff to the fall season. We're glad you're joining us here for the News at 11. I'm Steve Daniels.

And I'm Lauren Johnson. A little cloud cover out there tonight, but the spotty showers are over. Here's a live look at our Raleigh and Durham sky cams. Overnight, skies will clear up. Temperatures will also drop as we headed to tomorrow morning. looking ahead, expect clear skies tomorrow with temperatures getting a little chilly during the day. Eventually they'll drop to the 40s and 50s tomorrow night as we head into the weekend. Okay, let's toss it over to Chief Meteorologist Don Schweniker for our first alert weather forecast. What are you talking about in terms of the chilly overnight temperatures heading into the weekend? And we're going to see those numbers into the 40s and spots more on that in a moment.

Good evening to you. Today's Snap View, we had 64 degrees. And as we headed through this day, the drizzle moved out. But as we fast forward into tomorrow, the sun moving back in. We'll top out tomorrow in the 70s instead of the 60s. And as we get into the afternoon, more blue skies breaking through. Live look at your first alert Doppler net tonight. The drizzle has shut off.

We're not seeing anymore. Most of it moved out between six and nine down into the sand hills. And now it is clear. It will stay clear overnight. But let's first alert you to the next three days. Feeling like fall tomorrow, 72, those skies breaking early as we head early in the afternoon. And as we hit toward the evening skies clear out. Saturday, I just put wow in there.

I mean, it's going to be great. Low humidity, temperatures, low 70s, a gorgeous day shaping up, and that high pressure will dominate on Sunday, giving us more sunshine and 80 degrees. The next big weather maker after this nice weekend, warm air moving back in. We're going to talk about that in your first alert, seven-day forecast. Feeling like summer next week, that's coming up in just a couple of minutes. Stephen Moore. All right, Don, we'll see you then.

Thank you. Take a moment. Download that free eyewitness news app. It'll help you track those changing weather conditions on the go to get started. Search for ABC 11 in your app. store. Breaking right now at 11, eyewitness news getting its first look at the body cam video showing the arrest of the now former NC State Director of Sports Medicine who has finally been charged with the sexual abuse of dozens of student athletes. Robert Murphy was arrested in Florida where he now lives and today he faced a judge where he waived extradition back to North Carolina. All right, the body cam video shows the moment's Murphy was confronted by police in Ocala before being taken into custody. Take a look. Mr. Murphy, come out with your hands up. Come out with your hands up. Come out with your hands up. up leave the dog inside. Who are you talking about? Mr. Come on, step out. Hands up. Face the car. Hands behind your back.

Hands behind your back. Hands behind your back. Murphy worked at NC State from 2012 to 2022 and eventually did become the Director of Sports Medicine. In the years since, a total of 32 male athletes joined a civil lawsuit saying they were abused under the guise of medical treatment or they were subjected to overly intrusive drug tests. That lawsuit was dismissed in June on a procedural matter. a decision which has since been appealed. And a statement, a spokesperson at NC State wrote sexual misconduct of any kind is unacceptable. The health and safety of students and student athletes is paramount to NC State Athletics and the university.

We are aware the charge is filed by the Wake County District Attorney against Robert Murphy. We will cooperate with law enforcement in this matter. This is an ongoing legal matter. We cannot comment further at this time. ABC 11 has also reached out to the attorneys who previously represented Murphy, but we have not heard back. As Durham's new police chief settles into that role a series of incidents involving guns this week have people a little concerned. Chief Stephanie Martis spoke with eyewitness news today about the fresh perspective she's hoping to bring to the city's law enforcement as they make tackling gun violence a priority. Akela Davis joins us now live.

She moved here from Greensboro. She has some lessons from the triad she wants to bring here, Akela. Yeah. Yeah, hi, Steve. Good evening to you. Police Chief Stephanie Martis is inheriting a city desperate to find solutions to gun. violence. When she and I spoke earlier today, she told me that it starts with listening to people impacted most, people who are living in these communities. I believe that every resident in this city

has the right to live and prosper and be able to walk down the street and enjoy this beautiful community. And if we have sections of our city that residents cannot do that, I take that personally. I brought police chief Stephanie Martis's words to Durham's Cornwallis Road. One of the community's hardest hit by gun violence. It's getting dark. They need to head with this interview. Resident Tanya Kelly spoke with us outside her home, but as the sun went down, her concern turned to our safety. I don't be out here at nighttime because I already know what happens. I don't want to be robbed.

People here call her mama because of her nurturing spirit. Each week, she helps distribute these boxes of food donated by local groups to Cornwallis families in need. She says food insecurity is one of several challenges that must be addressed. alongside gun violence. For homicides, we're down about 5%. Our conversation comes as Chief Stephanie Martas delivered her first crime report to city council with violent crime up for the second quarter

compared to last year. The new chief is promising to bring those numbers down by working directly with the community. I have a skill set of connecting with people, so I'm going to pour myself into the community and really be responsive and receptive to what the community says that it needs. We are willing to help our community.

community and we are willing to help you help our community. This will allow us to talk to you so you can hear it from us, not from a third party, hear from Cone Wallace, what Cone Wallace needs, hear from the people who are suffering from the gun violence. Tanya's plea to the chief is personal as she's watched gun violence claim the lives of her neighbors. She wants action and says the community's patience is running out. People want to see a change, so the time is now. I don't think if we don't do it now, ain't anybody listening. We don't care anymore.

After this, I don't think people are going to care anymore because we've heard it before and before and before. And after two gun incidents involving teens this week, the chief says she wants to expand gun safety education. One idea that came up today was partnering with the school system to teach kids about safety. Back to you. And Stephanie Martyrus appears to be a hands-on police chief Akila. Our breaking news crews did see her out there on the scenes of those shootings this week. right there with the investigators and the victims as well. Thank you. Four years after the killings of Lyrick Woods and Devin Clark were learning when prosecutors could get a second chance to put Isaiah

Ross on trial for Woods's death. Ross is already serving time after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and the death of Devin Clark earlier this year. But jurors were unable to reach a verdict in the death of Lyrick Woods leading the judge to declare a mistrial. Now court officials tell ABC 11 Ross is scheduled to return to Orange County Court in December. That hearing could help determine whether prosecutors move forward with a retrial, which they say could happen as early as next June. Some new numbers out tonight show school districts across North Carolina began the school year with thousands of unfilled jobs, more than 6,200 total vacancies. And when we zoom in and look at the number of unfilled teaching positions, that number is about 2,000. That's an improvement over the previous year.

The numbers are from the North Carolina School Superintendent's Association. One big problem across the state, unfilled teaching jobs for kids in special education. School districts are trying to hire about 570 people for those jobs. The push to reform North Carolina divorce law is picking up more steam. A woman who's a North Carolina legislator wants to reduce and in some cases eliminate the physical separation period needed to get a divorce. Since we first brought you this story on Monday, it's been the number one story online. On social media, it started conversations all across the country. And tonight that conversation continued in carry inside a room packed with people who are now behind the push to change the law.

Jemise Price was inside that room listening to stories of women who are now on the other side of divorce. Our cameras were not allowed in the room, Jemise, but you were still able to talk to those who were there. That's right, Lauren. And the next steps required right now would be more co-sponsors for that bill and eventually a vote on the Senate floor. And many people feel the momentum from tonight. They can get it done. Women shared stories about the emotional and the financial toll that that separation period can have on them, some sharing stories of bankruptcy and even a go-fund me to get through the

process. One by one, women made their way inside the champagne bar and carry for a candid conversation about divorce. Each woman with a different story. That's where we met, Kara Lewis. I am recently divorced. And her divorce took years. Could be six years or three. But that year of separation really was greeted just like all right of it. For nearly, 95 years, North Carolina has required couples to physically separate for a year and a day to move forward with a divorce. Kara said that one year costs her a lot. My family and we had to watch a go-fund me and really very generous to have a lot of people. We should have to you and help us get through with very difficult for youth. So tonight she went in and stood with men and women who are

all pushing to change North Carolina's divorce law. Senator Woodson Bradley drafted Senate Bill 626. It would reduce the required separation period in a divorce from one year to six months. And in cases where there are no minor children and divorce is not contested, there's no waiting period at all. That bill sparked tonight's conversation. Social media influencer Jen Hamilton lit the match. Everything that we went through was such a shock. Like none of us never expecting this year was a look like this. Jen has been going through a divorce for the last four months and being from North Carolina, she knew about the separation requirement but didn't realize how muddy it could get. She took to social media to talk about it. Your furrow could come back and say, well, I don't agree

with the date that we separated and they could start the time all over a year. You should never be forced to be tethered to someone abusing me for any longer than necessary. State Senator Woodson Bradley also shared her story of divorce and escaping domestic violence. This bill would also waive the separation period for domestic violence survivors. looking to escape their marriage. Being the mom of children that went through a very painful and abusive and awful divorce, I wouldn't wish that I'm going to. So we just, we can be better.

And right now, a lot of folks are still going through what they call a costly and long divorce process. Jen Hamilton, the social media influence and author I introduce you to in this story. She's already raised more than $200,000 to help other people going through their own divorce process. us in Raleigh, Jemise Price, ABC 11, eyewitness. Surely, Jemise, it was encouraging for those women to all be in that room together to share stories and find some support from other people going through the same thing. Jemise, thank you. Now to an I-team investigation.

Under the streets here in the triangle, there's a growing concern. We're examining just how often water main breaks are happening. A big pipe broke last week. It created a huge mess for tens of thousands of customers and carry. ABC News data team analysis finding hundreds of water main breaks have already impacted neighborhoods all across the triangle just this year. In Durham, there have been more than 141 water main breaks through September 16th. Raleigh has seen more than 107 breaks this year.

Most involve smaller water lines, not major pipe failures. The findings come just days after a major break in carry that left more than 50,000 customers without water. I could see, you know, there's so much building going on around here, I can see something like that happening again. But like I said, me, we just keep moving forward. We're prepared. An example, Raleigh Water has added more than 60,000 customers in the last five years,

going from 610,000 in 2021 to 670,000 in 2025. However, Raleigh Water says the problem isn't new people, it's old pipes, saying in a written statement, in part, quote, we do not expect any increase in main breaks due to increased demand. What really drives water main breaks is age, condition of the pipes and the temperature. Durham water management did not provide a statement to us about what they believe is the cause of their breaks, But the break last week here in Kerry was caused by aging infrastructure. Still to come at 11, we're finally hearing a response from UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts after an investigation into the school's football program revealed some troubling patterns. What Lee Roberts is saying in the wake of that scandal, it led to the departure of two key members of the football program's leadership.

And Don, checking those chillier temperatures outside. Yeah, we're in the 60s and 50s tonight on our way into the 40s in spots. Emotee forecast for tomorrow, I like it. You're going to like it too. We'll talk about that and a first alert to some warmer tents. Your seven-day forecast coming up. Calculating route to avoid seeing poverty. Turn left to bypass the unhoused youth sleeping on the street.

Then keep right to skip by the lines of people waiting for food. Steer clear of the crowded shelter turning people away. Then take the next exit. Let's stop looking away and get in the way of rising poverty. Your donations help the United Way fight poverty in thousands of ways, like providing food, shelter, and crisis prevention. Donate today at United WayGT.org. We are local news.

ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. Tonight, UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts speaking out about an investigation into the school's football operations. Despite the negative headlines, Roberts has come out strongly in support of head coach Bill Belichick. The investigation has so far led to the resignation of Belichick's son, Steve Belichick, and the football program's general manager,

Michael Lombardi. Today, Robert said the investigation was voluntary. He also said it was launched after allegations from former employees. According to ESPN sources with direct knowledge of the proceedings, the investigation included questions about sexual relations with female staff and players as well as drug use within the program. We're disappointed that we're talking about this, but nobody made us do an investigation. Nobody made us hire an external firm. Nobody made us reveal the existence of an investigation, but we did it because we care about the conduct and standards of the football program. Robert said today the school is continuing to put in place new policies, training, and monitoring to oversee the program. We're learning new details tonight in the death of

18-year-old Nolan Wells, a story the nation has been following very closely. The state autopsy confirms the cause of death is, quote, undetermined. You might remember Nolan was a college football player. He disappeared on the 4th of July after going to Horn Island off the Mississippi Gulf coast with some friends. Authority said it appeared he stayed behind on the island after his friends left. His body was recovered two days later. Officials suspected drowning, but no cause of death has ever been formally established. All right, Don showed us the emoji guys feeling pretty good about tomorrow. I think the rest of us will like it too. The sun will be out. I know, finally, after hiding out for a few days. Right? Yeah. I didn't have the emoji. The shows the frustrated guy who has

work tomorrow. Oh, is that you? Maybe someone I know. I don't know who that is. So there you go. Let's talk about the one big thing to take away from tonight's forecast as we move forward. What's next? A cool fall morning. We're talking temperatures tomorrow. Upper 40s to low 50s to start today. Maybe even need a jacket as you head out the door live. Look, first alert Doppler net tonight's scanning this guys. This is all radar trash. When the rain is stopped sometimes in a clearer air, you'll see other things. But we're dry. Not much to worry about out there tonight. Live look out at RDE. We're still seeing some gust up around 20 miles an hour.

It's not bouncing as much as it was earlier, but it's still breezy out there. It's going to stay breezy as long as that system sits off our coast. It's going to keep throwing wind back into Central North Carolina. Temperatures, Manny Ota Murphy tonight, 66, down at the coast, 61 at ECU. 58 up in Chase City, Lumberton. Good evening to you. You're at 63, 10 degrees cooler in the triad.

Asheville checks in at 61. Overnight, we'll see our lows into the low 50s. Now normally for this time of year, 60 is the low. So we're going to be below average. As a matter of fact, look at Roxburgh tonight, bottoming out in the upper 40s. Sanford's going to get close to the 40s as well. Let's talk about that morning exercise, fitness forecast. Good day to take a run or walk.

Temperatures will stay in the 50s all the way through 10 o'clock. 60 degrees by lunchtime, just 65. A nice morning ahead. Now, the clouds are streaming in from the. that system off the coast. It's going to track north, but as we're caught between it and the high pressure keeping skies clear to the west, that's going to keep us breezy as we head through the next 24 hours. Your first alert predictor forecast model. We'll see clouds to start today tomorrow, but by tomorrow afternoon, the clouds are breaking the sun winds out. Skies will clear out for Friday

night football. Saturday looks great, starting off with 50s and just a few clouds working through. We will stay dry, though, in those temperatures in the 70s and the low humidity. Oh, it sticks and around and looks great. Forecast for tomorrow's 72 Raleigh, 73 in Durham and 73 in Fayetteville. Blue skies in by the afternoon and spots your seven day forecast powered by ACAweather, the ovarian cancer walk on Saturday.

Quinlan Murphy, MC at that. We'd love to see out there, ABC 11 a proud sponsor. Sunday 80, Monday, Monday 81 with the low humidity sticking around. Tuesday looks great for any tailgating for opening night for our Carolina hurricanes and we'll be in the mid 80s on into next week, but a nice, finally fall weekend in September. How to start to September ever. We're going to end September the last

weekend of September with some great weather. All right. I'll see you here tomorrow. No scowls, okay? Yeah, I suppose. Everyone's smiling. She has the day off tomorrow. So Lauren, she's smiling. I know. I get to hang out with my brother. I'm excited. All right, still ahead. Eyewitness news is on hand for today's ribbon cutting ceremony. As White County welcomes a new elementary school in Fuqua Verena. We're speaking with the principal of Hilltop Needmore Road Elementary about the excitement that building is bringing. And remember, you can always watch ABC 11 eyewitness news live on Disney Plus and wherever you stream. Calculating route to avoid seeing poverty.

Turn left to bypass the unhoused youth sleeping on the street. Then keep right to skip by the lines of people waiting for food. Steer clear of the crowded shelter turning people away, then take the next exit. Let's stop looking away and get in the way of rising poverty. Your donations help the United Way fight poverty in thousands of ways, like providing food, shelter, and crisis prevention. Donate today at United WayGT.org. What County's newest elementary school had its grand unveiling today?

County leaders held a ribbon cutting today for Hilltop Needmore Road Elementary School and Fuqua Varena. The doors opened last month just in time for the new school year and about 800 kids call it home. Eyewitness News spoke with the principal. Carolyn Miller, who says students and staff are really brimming with excitement about the new building. Our students have loved their new building, their new classrooms, have great collaborative

furniture. Each hallway has its own space where students can come together and learn, collaborate in a shared space. The school is on the Wake County Track 4 calendar for the students and staff. Now at 11 tonight we're learning Governor Josh Dine is making a $5 million investment in new infrastructure grants to support small business recovery in Western North Carolina. The governor made this announcement while visiting the region today to mark nearly two years since Hurricane Helene.

And today the governor met with small business owners. And he also joined the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce for the spirit of Boone annual membership gathering. And announcing that multi-million dollar investment in the region, Stein said they will, quote, strengthen main streets and help small businesses welcome customers back. Looking ahead, the governor is set to participate in several events over the next few days, highlighting recovery efforts. Tomorrow, the governor will host a Western North Carolina recovery meeting.

Saturday, he'll visit Chimney Rock and Sunday. Governor Stein will take part in a Helene Remembrance Service at St. James A.M.E. Church in Asheville. Calculating route to avoid seeing poverty. Turn left to bypass the unhoused youth sleeping on the street. Then keep right to skip by the lines of people waiting for food. Steer clear of the crowded shelter turning people away. Then take the next exit.

Let's stop looking away and get in the way of rising poverty. Your donations help the information. United Way fight poverty in thousands of ways, like providing food, shelter, and crisis prevention. Donate today at United WayGT.org. 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. This weekend, we've got high school football. The fact is. All right, Trey, thank you. And thank you at home for watching this. to do it for us here tonight. Good bounce back after the Panthers game. It was.

We'll see back here tomorrow. Calculating route to avoid seeing poverty. Turn left to bypass the unhoused youth sleeping on the street. Then keep right to skip by the lines of people waiting for food. Steer clear of the crowded shelter turning people away, then take the next exit. Let's stop looking away and get in the way of rising poverty. Your donations help the United Way fight poverty in thousands of ways. like providing food, shelter, and crisis prevention.

Donate today at unitedwayg.org.