ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - April 22, 2026

Episode Date: April 22, 2026

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Next on eyewitness news at 4, a Wake County father charged with the murder of his infant daughter in court today. Our crew also in the courtroom as family members of the man gathered to show their support the latest details on this case. And a Benson police officer charged after officials say he broke into a home and sexually assaulted someone. What we're learning about his previous history with the Raleigh Police Department. An agreement is reached to fund Medicaid to keep up with rising health care costs. What this means for millions of North Carolinaans who rely on the surface. IWitness News at 4 starts now. Right now, live coverage from your local news leader,

keeping you connected to your community and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. Right now at four new details in a disturbing case in Wake County, a father charged with murdering his baby girl appearing before a judge today. Thanks for joining us here for eyewitness News at 4. Wednesday I'm Amber Repenta. And I'm Barbara Gibbs. Christopher Gonzalez faces a judge more than a year after the death of his daughter. Elena Athens is joining us now from the Wake County Courthouse.

So Elena, I know you were inside the courtroom today. Tell us what unfolded. Well, the defendant's wife, who is the mother of the baby killed, was also in court offering her support. I tried to speak with her after his arraignment. Is there anything you want to say of the charges? No, ma'am. Thank you. Christopher Gonzalez's wife didn't want to speak with us after her husband was formally charged this afternoon with murdering their infant daughter. The incident happened in October of 2024. The Wake County Sheriff's Office says the child was reportedly injured at Gonzalez's home on Mandrawe. And the infant was then brought to a hospital.

A few days later, the girl passed away. The Wake County Sheriff's Office says investigators conducted a thorough investigation and earlier this month obtained an arrest warrant for the 25-year-old. So you're going to be held without bond at this time. We'll see you May 13th at 9. So what the way County Sheriff is saying about the work that went into making this arrest. We'll have that coming up at 5 o'clock for an hour live in Raleigh. Elena Athens, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Interested to learn more about this case. Elena, thank you. In Johnson County, a Benson police officers facing multiple felony charges, including rape, kidnapping, and burglary.

Peter Blake made his first court appearance in Johnson County today. Cindy Bay is joining us live now from the courthouse. Cindy, what can you tell us about this case? Well, guys, the 33-year-old Clayton Man is no longer with the Benson Police Department following his arrest early this morning, and now he is being held on a $5 million bond. Peter Blake appeared in a Johnson County courtroom just hours after his arrest. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree forcible rape. Investigators say he broke into a home on April 8th and sexually sexual.

assaulted a victim. The incident was reported to Benson Police earlier this month. Prosecutors say it happened while he was employed as an officer, but it was unclear if he was on duty at the time. Until this morning, Mr. Blake was a Benson police officer. He has ties to Jamaica. That's where he just returned from. Eyewitness news is also working to learn more about his career. Blake previously worked for Raleigh Police for just more than a year before resigning in 2023. He joined Benson Police in August 2025 and served less than a year before his arrest. In court, Blake asked the judge for a bond so he could see his one-year-old daughter and his wife, who he says is pregnant, will have more on his background and his ties to North

Carolina coming up on eyewitness News at 5 in Smithfield. Cindy Bay, ABC 11 eyewitness news. We will see you in an hour with more. Cindy, thank you. Let's turn now to the ongoing efforts to help ease conditions. Fuqua Varena becoming the second triangle municipality to issue water restrictions now. Fuccoi purchases wholesale water from the city of Raleigh, Harnock County and Johnston County. The stage one restrictions take effect Friday. Automated irrigation systems can be used three days a week. Even addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Odd number addresses may only water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Customers may hand water at any time using a handheld watering device. Other restrictions include not washing down outside areas like your home exteriors and sidewalks. New and existing pools can no longer be completely filled. Fukuave Arena says the goal is to reduce overall water consumption by 10%. All right, let's head outside now on this hump day.

Earth Day, a live look at the Raleigh skyline from our Pindo Sky Cam. Look at those skies, nothing but bright blue skies on this Wednesday afternoon. Your Al J. Steve, the good news is we do have some rain in the forecast. We do. We have two opportunities.

Doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen for sure, but two chances, Saturday night and then again on Tuesday, and we'll show you all that coming up. Just to put this in perspective, if you look at the last 30 days, most of us, we've only had 5% of the amount of rain that we would normally get. That's why it's just been incredibly dry as of late, and that puts us at number one at the driest months so far. And you look at this number two is 1,600s back in 1976. And then after that, it was significantly more. So incredibly dry to say the least. Now tomorrow we'll warm up a little bit more. Mid upper 80s flirting with 90 down in the sand hills, but humidity stays low.

There is a disturbance just to our north, a little weak front that is sagging southward. Some of the high resolution models not picking that up too well, but we can't rule out a sprinkle or a stray shower in our northern counties this evening. Wouldn't be much. Most of us obviously are going to miss out, and it should be a decent evening. We'll just see a few more clouds at that time. 84 and in North Hills right now, a breeze of 13 gusting to 22. Look at the relative humidity. With a due point of 39,

the relative humidity is at 20%. That's why we have an increased fire danger out there. 80 in Oxford, 84 in Durham, 83 Chapel Hill, and Fayville currently at 84 degrees. Evening walks should be fine. Again, we'll see a few more clouds coming in later this evening. We fall down to the mid-70s at 8 p.m. Pretty nice for the walk.

The only caveat, it will be breezy at times with some of those gusts. Coming up, storm risk on Tuesday. It's looking a little bit more promising now. More on that coming up in just a few minutes. All right, Steve, thank you. Well, now to some other local headlines in your speed feed. First, the Nash County Sheriff's Office makes an arrest in a deadly shooting. It happened last night on Brantley Road in Middlesex.

Deputies found 33-year-old Marcus Tony suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene. 30-year-old Cajun Dunn is charged with secondary murder. He's being held in the Nash County Detention Center without bomb. We're working to learn more about a crash involving a go-rolly bus. Chopper 11 over the scene on the belt line near Capitol. Boulevard. It appears the bus driver plowed into a line of trees. I witnesses is asking Go Raleigh about any injuries and how this happened. The crash comes just two weeks after two people were hurt when a

go Raleigh bus driver slammed into a tree. In another incident, crash happened on Park Lake Avenue at Edwards Mill Road in Raleigh. Investigators say two people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. In Hope Mills, crews are working to repair a line after a natural gas leak. We're told a construction crew hit a gas line near Camden Road and Rockfish road causing this leak. Some people living in the area were forced to evacuate their homes and the road was closed. Penelope Lopez will join us live from the scene at 430 with updates and reaction from neighbors. A global biopharmaceutical company will build a billion-dollar manufacturing campus in Durham bringing hundreds of jobs. Today, Governor Stein announced

Abbe will create 734 jobs in a new pharmaceutical operation. The company says it will build a 185-acre state-of-the-art manufacturing campus. in the city of Durham, the average annual income will be right around $118,000 a year. And that is your speed feed and we're back to you. All right, Barbara, thanks. And now at four legislative leaders in the House and Senate have now reached an agreement on funding the Medicaid rebase, as it's called. That is the money needed to keep up with rising health care costs.

Today, we spoke with health care advocates and Medicaid recipients about what this deal could mean for them. Michael Perchick is joining us live in Raleigh with more on their reaction to the deal. Michael, what did those advocates have to say about this bill? Yeah, Amber, the funding vital, as you mentioned, to cover not only the increasing cost, but that rising enrollment that we've seen here across North Carolina, as concerns lingered without that additional funding, there could be potential cut to existing services. I think we're really first, definitely the first emotion that hit me.

Jonathan DiAngelo is one of the more than three million North Carolinians on Medicaid. For people with disabilities, Medicaid is absolutely the lifeblood. It provides services that no other payer pays for. So for me, I need help with almost all of my activities of daily living. So getting out of bed, going in dress, in a shower, going to the doctor, going to work. He was born with a neuromuscular condition and serves with the chair of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, a role that's led them to meet with state lawmakers to discuss the importance of Medicaid. The House bill invests $319 million to fund the program while also calling for a series of reforms,

including more frequent eligibility reviews, an audit led by the state auditor's office, and a requirement by NCDHHS to submit an annual report identifying and addressing fraud, waste, and abuse. So while it's great that we have a funding mechanism for the remaining money that we need for our Medicaid program, we still have a lot more work to do. So that was only for the 2025, 2025, 2025, fiscal year. So now we're looking at 2026, 2027. And traditionally that'll go in a state budget,

so we'll need to push for that. And coming up at 6, we meet with a Durham family, why they explain the support they received from Medicaid extends past simply health care investments. I'm Michael Pertchick, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Yeah, vital funding for so many people in North Carolina. Michael, thank you. Next year at four hopes for new peace talks in the war with Iran.

We're learning new details about how potential negotiations between the U.S. and Iran fell apart just hours before the ceasefire was extended. And preparing for one of the biggest nights for the NFL. We're talking about the draft, the safety measures being put into place ahead of the big night. And it is Earth Day. We're going to take you live to some of the big events happening today in honor of our planet. Okay, taking a look right now and some traffic out there. I-40, Avent Ferry. The camera's freezing up here.

One way is looking pretty good. a little busy out there at this time of the day, as you would expect. We are looking at two chances for rain and got your seven-day forecast coming up. But first, here's your traffic hot spots brought you by the first alert weather team. The ABC 11 first alert forecast team is working to keep you safe. Wanting us across the region. Some cloud cover starting to build. That rain is going to push on through cold air coming in. The first alert forecast team. Only on ABC 11. I witness news. Without sacrificing fun? That's the Volkswagen ID4.

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Vice President J.D. Vance was scheduled to be in Pakistan for talks today, but that trip was put on hold, and instead the two-week ceasefire was extended. But tensions are growing around the Strait of Hormuz with Iran insisting the U.S. needs to back down its military efforts there before any talks can restart. Christiane Gordero has the latest from Washington. Today, new details about how potential negotiations between the U.S. and Iran fell apart in the final hours before the ceasefire was extended. Multiple sources tell ABC News the U.S. sent Iran a list of broad points they hoped Iran would agree to ahead of in-person negotiations. And as time ran out yesterday, the administration didn't get a response. The New York Post reports that in a text exchange, President Trump now suggests talks could resume as soon as Friday, writing, it's possible when asked about the potential for such negotiations.

In the past several days, the president has also insisted it was highly unlikely he'd agree to extending the ceasefire before doing just that. And Trump has repeatedly threatened to escalate attacks on Iran's infrastructure. The price of a gallon of regular gas is now averaging 402 in the U.S. A fifth of the world's global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and analysts say gas prices will not come down until traffic resumes as normal. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson today dismissed concerns about the long-term effects. I think the conflict will end. I think gasoline prices will come back to where they were or perhaps lower, as they did. That is past dependent on when the war and the conflict end.

But the tension is only escalating at sea as both the U.S. and Iran assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran firing on three ships today saying it seized two of them. The U.S. naval blockade is targeting Iran's economy, preventing ships from entering and leaving Iranian ports. A move Iran's parliament speaker has blasted as bullying, writing on social media, quote, reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such a flagrant breach of the ceasefire. Iran's president on social media today blasted what he called hypocritical empty talk and contradiction insisting the regime welcomes good faith dialogue. Christy John Cordero, ABC News, Washington. New at four, a long-time Democrat in Congress, Georgia Representative David Scott has passed away.

Scott, who served as a top Democrat in the House Agriculture Committee from 2021 to 2025, served in the House for more than 23 years, taking office in 2003. He was in the Capitol just yesterday when he cast his final vote as a member. In fact, he was running for re-election to a 13th term at the time of his death. Scott was 80 years old. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill House Democrats are demanding answers from FBI Director, after the Atlantic published claims about him of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and impulsive decision-making.

Patel has denied the allegations. He is now suing the publication for defamation. Patel lashed out at reporters during a press conference. I can say unequivocally that I never listen to the fake news mafia. And as when they get louder, it just means I'm doing my job. The Atlantic says that it is standing by its reporting and calls Patel's lawsuit. meritless. In a letter address to Patel released today, Democratic lawmakers are demanding he issue a sworn statement concerning his alleged drinking habits and complete a test that identifies

patterns of alcohol consumption. The NFL is addressing safety concerns ahead of the 2026 draft. The draft starts tomorrow night in Pittsburgh. Authorities say they'll increase law enforcement presence throughout the city and there will also be drones, K-9 teams, patrol bicycle officers, tactical teams, maritime units, motorcycle medics, and more around the perimeter of the draft. The FBI says that they're not aware of any credible threats of violence targeting the NFL draft. At least 700,000 people are expected to visit the city over the next few days. And speaking of the NFL draft, you can watch it right here on ABC 11. The first round is tomorrow from 8 to 11 p.m., followed by rounds 2 through 7 on Friday and Saturday.

Now, four researchers at NC State are sharing their predictions for this year's Atlantic hurricane season. They are predicting 12 to 15 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and two to three major hurricanes. That is in line with the first predictions from Colorado State University calling for 13 named storms and six hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November with the peak activity in late summer. Well, it is Earth Day. People all across the triangle are celebrating Mother Earth today, including in Fenton. and Carrie. This is a live view of the event underway right now. There's a handful of activities, learning experiences, and sustainable fun for all ages. The fund runs through 7 o'clock, so there's still plenty of time if you'd like to go out there and join them. Well, here is a list

of some other Earth Day activities happening across the Triangle today. University Place in Chapel Hills hosting a celebration until 5 o'clock this evening, so maybe 45 minutes left of that. There's also a celebration at Wake County trees of Wake County trees at Dix Park tonight. Tom George will have a live coverage from Earth Day events happening across our area that's coming up on eyewitness news at live. That's a good tee up for meteorologist Steve Stewart. Yeah. This is a nice Earth Day for us. It is. The weather's been fantastic. You know, a lot of times and Don and I were just talking about this. When we're in the 80s and 90s, it's always just so oppressive and you're sticky, constantly sweating.

The air's been so incredibly dry. Yeah. I want to call it a dry heat, but close. They say that in Phoenix. They do. That's a really dry heat. Outside right now it looks fantastic though we got the gorgeous clear skies around. We're expecting to have an evening with a few more clouds and maybe a sprinkle up in our northern counties, but not a big deal. I'll show you that coming up. But 80s for the next few days and we're talking mid-oper 80s, flirting with 90, but the humidity is going to stay low. The burn band's going to continue elevated fire risk today, not so much tomorrow because the winds are not going to be as gusty. And then rain on the way, yeah, we could get some as we. get into the weekend. As this front gets closer to us on Saturday, there'll be some moisture that gets pulled out ahead of it. And just enough, we should get some showers around. So we put it in the likely category for Saturday night. And then we'll do it again Monday night into Tuesday. Tuesday is looking a little bit more promising now. But if you add both of those up, WPC has, is it about a half an inch with each event being about a quarter inch of rain. Now it's not a guarantee that everyone's going to get this much rain. But fingers crossed that we at least get some of this. We need it for sure. outside right now, 84 degrees of North Hills and breezy. Look at the gust around 22 miles an hour. Humidity, bone dry. That's why you have that elevated fire risk out there. 80 in Oxford, 84 into Irwin and Fayetteville and Southern Pines at this hour is at 85 degrees. Evening plan, maybe you want to dine outside. The only caveat your napkin might blow away in the breeze. Numbers are going to get down to the mid-70s at 8 o'clock. And beyond that will fall to the 60s. There will be some clouds around this evening, though. Tomorrow morning, clear skies. season will be cool for the kids at the bus stop when they come home about 86 degrees and plenty of sunshine but again low humidity Friday hottest day near 90 for the high well watch that front as it gets closer to us look at the rain that's going to move into the mountains now we likely won't get the rain during the daytime hours but after six seven eight o'clock I think hopefully this will hold together and we'll get some showers around the area so as it go throughout tonight low temperatures likely in the 50s partly cloudy skies again, I can't rule out a stray shower in the evening hours in our northern counties with a little disturbance up there in Virginia, but it won't be much. Just a little bit of sprinkles here and there. And then as we go into your daytime highs tomorrow, mid to upper 80s, flirting with 90 in the sand dills. Note the average high 75. We're not talking records here, but definitely going to be warm. Humidity stays down. Less of a breeze than we had today. It's really not going to be a bad day to get outside if you can. First, last seven day then. 88 will say basically the same thing. Rinse and repeat on our Friday.

Saturday, the ALS walk will be fine. Clouds will increase. We might get a shower late in the day, but it's more likely it'll be on the evening to overnight hours. Not a lot, probably a quarter inch or less, but we do expect to get some showers around. Sunday might be a little damp to start,

otherwise a partly sunny day in the mid-70s. And then Tuesday, guys, it looks a little bit more promising with that next front. Not only rain, but we could get some thunderstorms as well before drying out again on Wednesday. That's good news. Andy Ray, we'll take it. All right.

And you heard Steve say Friday's going to be pretty nice and warm. We're looking ahead to Friday. Fayetteville's annual Dogwood Festival returns. The festival celebrating its 44th year. It's a free community event. It's at Festival Park right in downtown, and it runs through Sunday, and ABC 11 is a proud sponsor once again. All right.

Get ready to row. Next, it for the competition set to close Lake Wheeler Park for the next few days. Plus, heading on vacation, summer may cost considerably more if you are taking to the skies. The airline's set to jack up its prices by 20%. Sorry, investing, trading, that isn't a personality. You don't need the voice. You don't need the jargon. You don't need the podcast. You already know how to trade. You've done it your whole life. And TD Easy Trade taps into that instinct so you can build something real. No minimums, no monthly fees, 24-hour support. No investor-prone.

personality required. Because you are made to trade and TD Easy Trade is made to help. Download it now. It is time now for some news. You can use this Wednesday. A heads up if you are planning to go to Raleigh's Lake Wheeler Park. It will be closed to public access beginning tomorrow through Saturday for an intercollegiate rowing event. The park will only be open for spectators and it will reopen to the public boating on Sunday. Amazon is launching a new program to expand access to popular GLP-1 drugs. Amazon One Medical integrates obesity treatment into routine care, combining virtual and in-person visits, prescriptions and pharmacy services. The company says the goal is to treat weight management as a long-term condition, not a one-time prescription.

Through Amazon pharmacy, medications like Wagovi and newer oral options could cost as little as $25 a month with insurance or start at $149 without insurance. Injectable treatments begin around $300. a month. And Amazon says that it is offering same-day delivery and on-demand prescription renewals. United Airlines is raising its fares by as much as 20% this summer. The company CEO says demand has remained strong, which means flyers are willing to pay the price. He also says jet fuel costs are way up and the airline needs to pass some of that expense on to customers. The company says prices likely will not come back down even if oil prices decline. And that is news you can. use. Barbara over you. All right. Amber, thank you. Well, new it for a popular coffee shop in

Raleigh is expanding. You'll seem to be able to buy 321 coffee at your local Costco. The coffee shop shared the news on Instagram. They say that all Costco warehouses across the state will be carrying bags of 321 coffee roast by the end of the month. 321 coffee offers employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So congratulations, 321 coffee. I mean, that is so impressive. We have followed them since it was just a little standard in C-State. Yeah, way to go. Costco, way to go. Coming up, a Raleigh community is expressing its concern

after they say there have been multiple breaks and break-ins in their neighborhood. And we are working to get answers, speaking with city leaders and police about the work being done to put a stop to the crimes ahead. And Raleigh Fire Station 3 has a new home. After the break, we'll tell you when the facility is set to open its doors. We are. Amazon

Presents Jeff versus Taco Truck Salsa. Whether it's Verde Roja or the orange one. For Jeff, trying any salsa is like playing Russian roulette with a flamethrower. Luckily, Jeff saved with Amazon and stocked up on antacids, ginger tea, and milk. Habaniero? More like habanier, yes.

Save the everyday with Amazon. Local news, ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. New here at 430, a Raleigh community is on edge after a string of reported break-ins around their neighborhood. And the break-ins are happening in the Glasscock-Bennett-Lions Way neighborhood just off Raleigh Boulevard. Duane Hogarth is joining us now live from that neighborhood. So, Duane, I know that you spent the day speaking with some of those concerned neighbors, just really frustrated after many say they've been dealing with these issues for months. Yeah, 10 months, at least one of the neighbors here say that all of this has been going on.

I spoke with a number of people who live here in this area. They tell me they are absolutely fed up with the property damage that's been happening to their homes. And they say the consequences or the lack thereof is not enough to deter people from continuing to do this. Several of the people who live in this Raleigh neighborhood say they've had enough. The entire community is extremely concerned about this situation. And we just want everyone to feel safe. Multiple instances dating as far back as 10 months ago and as recently as just yesterday of kids allegedly breaking into homes. homes, stealing property, and in most cases, throwing rocks, like this large one that came flying

through a window on Tuesday. This video captured by the homeowner shows what appears to be several kids throwing rocks at his home, nearly hitting his six-month-old son. Glass all over the high chair, very concerned that if we had been feeding him at that time, if we had been in that area, that this could have seriously harmed either one of us or him. Neighbors who did not want to show their face on camera, so they fear retaliation. I'm feeling very concerned that this appears to be escalating, that the damage will increase. I spoke with Councilman Corey Branch, who represents this district after neighbors say they've been in contact with them and Raleigh Police about getting this issue resolved. I know the community members over here have offered to assess.

I know where these kids live, organizations have been in there, have offered services. So it's really that hands-on approach and being intentional in trying to address the matter. and figure out what's causing the behavior. But residents say the resolutions aren't coming fast enough and want something to be done before a situation takes a turn for the worse. We don't want anyone to try to take anything into their own hands, call the police, let us address. We'll get there as fast as reasonably possible to address the matter and continue to work.

And Councilmember Branch says he, along with RPD, know who these children are. They say that they have been in contact with their parents to figure out some sort of solution to this problem that's happening. And Councilmember Branch says if it's unsuccessful with those parents, then the next step is the judicial system. We're live in Raleigh this afternoon. Duane Hogarth, Iwomeness News. We'll see what happens, Dewan. Thank you.

Right now at 4, we are learning more about what caused a gas leak on Camden Road and Hope Mills, disrupting the day for people who live and work in that area. Penelope has been on the scene all afternoon. She's joining a slide now. So Penelope, they're still working at this hour? That's right. Good afternoon. Emergency crews are still working to repair the gas leak. We're learning that a construction crew hit the gas line, forcing some residents to evacuate. I thought someone got hurt. Confusion this morning as residents tried to get onto Camden and Rockfish Road.

I've never had to deal with something like that, so this is the first time for me. Stony Point Fire Department was the first to arrive, responding to the natural gas leak just after 1025 this morning. A little worried. I don't know how many lines they hit or anything like that, but worried, not just for the people up there that I'm worried about. Chopper 11 capturing several crews on the ground, including Fayetteville Fire Department, State Troopers, and Piedmont crews who were working together to handle the emergency. Officials stressing that the odor alone does not mean there's an immediate danger, but that resident should be cautious and avoid this corridor. Carol Ocasio, who depends on this road to get home, found herself searching for an alternative route. How do you plan to go back home? I'm going to go where they told me to go.

Now officials say the air quality readings remain safe at this moment. As you can see, this road is still blocked off. No one can come in or out at this moment. Also, there is a preschool nearby coming up in the next hour. We'll hear how this gas leak. disrupted pickup time. For now, live in Hope Mills. I'm Penelope Lopez, ABC 11, eyewitness news. That's a major thoroughfare through Hope Mills disrupting for so many people today and they're still working. All right, Penelope, see you soon with more. Thank you. We've got some breaking news

right into the newsroom now. For Jordan High School in Durham is on lockdown. District officials say they got a tip that someone may have seen a gun on campus. Law enforcement on the scene right now checking out the school. This is through DPS calling this a precautionary measure. We'll let you know about the updates as they come in. Again, Jordan High School in Durham is on lockdown report that a gun was seen on campus. We will let you know any updates as soon as we get them. Right now at four, the Urban Ministries of Durham is celebrating its new day center. The Hope Day Center on Liberty Street is a pilot program designed to fill a critical gap for Durham's unhoused neighbors. The facility will provide vital services for those. in need including clean restroom, showers, laundry facilities, internet access, behavioral

health support, and workforce development programs. The Hope Day Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wake County is celebrating its new bookmobile. The bookmobile made a special stop today at the Olivia Rainey History Library on Cario Drive in Raleigh this morning. The stop was all part of its sneak peak tour. Visitors were able to browse and check out the selection of more than 2,000 books on wheels. They could also sign up for library card and return books.

This event marks National Outreach Day honoring the county's legacy of mobile library outreach and celebrating the next chapter of Library on the go. What we know know when Raleigh's newest fire station will open. The city announcing Fire Station 3 will open next Monday, April 27th. The new station is located on Rockbury Road. It moved from South East Street. Part of the new station is this new public artwork by artist Maxwell and Kayes. It serves the eastern part of Raleigh and downtown Raleigh.

We're still ahead on eyewitnesses at for an arrest made in the deadly park shooting in Winston-Salem. We have the latest in that investigation and why police say it is far from over. And multiple aggressive bear encounters with humans is forcing two trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to close. We've got that story after the break. And as we go to break, let's take a live look outside on this hump day. It is Earth Day. So do something to celebrate Mother Earth.

It is a beautiful day too. nothing but blue skies here on this Wednesday afternoon, and Steve is tracking some rain on the seven day. Square knows that in hospitality, efficiency is everything. That's why their system lets you take payments. Track sales, handle inventory, manage staff, send invoices, and keep up with finances all in one place. Apply through orders with zero mistakes.

Get the data you need and keep everything working together. So you're ready for whatever's next. Learn more about their customizable little plans at squareup.com. Carolina is now Winston-Salem police making an arrest in a deadly mass shooting at a park. Two teenagers were killed. Five other young people were injured in Monday shooting at Lineback Park. Police say that this started as a fight before escalating to a mass shooting. An 18-year-old is now charged with felony child abuse. Police say Joel Gamble-Toliver fired a gun during the incident and was also injured.

Investigators plan to charge any adult on scene watching the fight. A man involved in a shootout with Asheville police has died. It happened last night. Police responded to a business after reports of a person with a gun. Police say the man identified as James Jones, shot at police through a glass door. Officers fired back and hit Jones. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. One officer is hurt by broken glass but is expected to be okay.

The State Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the incident. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park closing two of its trails after recent aggressive bear encounters with humans. The park sharing this post on social media saying Rangers responded to multiple bear-related incidents at Ramsey Cascades Trail this past weekend, including cases where a bear approached visitors and took backpacks and briefly chased a group. They are asking visitors to be mindful of bears when visiting the park. There's no word on when the trails will reopen. And of course, we saw that black bear in Durham as well on a security camp. So coming out of hibernation. Be bear aware. Coming up, a team.

charged with killing his step-sister while on a family cruise has pleaded not guilty. What new court documents are revealing about the case? Plus soaring to new heights? Literally the potentially record-setting skydive with a daredevil who does not have control of her arms, legs, or tongue. And as we go to break, we want to remind you of the annual ALS walk. It's happening this Saturday at Halifax Mall. Registration is now open for anyone who wants to join the ABC 11 Stodgher Strong team. ABC 11 First Alert Weather on eyewitness news every day.

The 16-year-old accused of sexually assaulting and killing his stepsister aboard a cruise ship last year, waiving his right to appear at a court hearing today, but entering a plea. ABC's Armando Garcia has more now on what happens next. Today, lawyers for the suspect accused of killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a ship last year, entering a not-guilty plea to murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges. In previously unsealed court documents, investigators claiming Anna Kepner was sexually assaulted, before she was killed while the cruise ship was in international waters. Officials said she died of mechanical asphyxiation.

A source telling ABC news, it was a bar hold across the neck. According to the Kepner's and a security source briefed on the investigation, her body was discovered hidden inside the family's cruise cabin wrapped in a blanket under a bed and concealed with luggage and life jackets as the ship returned to Miami. ABC's Victor Okendo speaking with Kepner's grandparents who were on the ship when the granddaughter's body was found. I just screamed. I couldn't stop screaming.

In a previous statement, Kepner's parents saying, Our family is devastated by the loss of Anna and continues to grieve this unimaginable tragedy. We are aware of the serious charges that have now been brought forward. While the legal process moves ahead, we are placing our trust in the justice system to pursue the truth with care and integrity. In February, authorities arrested the stepbrother, referred to as TH in documents, and a judge ordered him release into the custody of a family member with an ankle monitor. Now prosecutors and Kepner's parents are asking a judge to order pretrial detention. The step brother was initially charged as a juvenile, now charges an adult.

He's facing life in prison if convicted. Armando Garcia, ABC News, New York. Now today's top trending stories in real news. First, a quadriplegic mother in Washington just performs a potentially record-setting skydive. Check this out. Tanya Finlayson has cerebral palsy. She does not have control over her arms, her legs, or her tongue, but that did not stop her from jumping nearly 18,000 feet.

and reaching 125 miles per hour, breaking Washington State records. Tanya says she wants to try a solo jump without the help. Well, now to an alleged crime caught on camera, a bear cam in this case. Video captured from a collar-mounted camera on a Connecticut bear shows the burling burglar sniffing and then snatching a bag of Doritos from a back porch. The State's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says it's been outfitting area bears with cameras to gain more insight into their intrusive behaviors. The bear did get away with the chips.

And finally, acute alert, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is marking Earth Day by letting the world see its new baby elephant. Check this out, a live feed from the zoo of Baby Lin Ma at her Aunt Swarna. The baby elephant is critically endangered Asian elephant. The zoo says her mother rejected her, but Aunt Swarna stepped in to help. And as you can see, baby Lynn Mai is already spreading smiles, having some fun with her bubble bath. Sweet baby elephant. And that is real news.

Amber, back to you. I saw that in the newsroom today, and I was just mesmerized watching it. Barbara, thanks. New this afternoon, NASA has unveiled its new fully assembled space telescope. The instrument has been undergoing testing at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. It is named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA's first chief of astronomy, who helped to create the Hubble Space Telescope. telescope. According to NASA, Roman's primary mirror is about the same size as Hubble, but it can take images of space 100 times larger and 1,000 times faster than the Hubble. It is set to be shipped to Florida's Kennedy Space Center where it is scheduled for launch in September. All right. Let's put a meteorologist Steve Stewart. He's back with more on the forecast. Boy, really nice day, but boy, we're dry. Do have some good luck potentially in the forecast.

Yeah, a couple opportunities for rain. And I'm going to show you something right now. I haven't. for a long time. The radar. Oh, look at that. There's something on. Yeah. The disturbance that was up in Virginia. We were hoping it would hold together. Now, first of all, the air mass is really dry. So a lot of this is probably going to evaporate, but still light showers or at least sprinkles are going to be going on up in person county and maybe a bona fide shower. How far south this gets is going to be a question mark. But don't be surprised if you get a brief shower this evening. 80s for the next few days. Humidity is going to stay low, though. That burn band continues with an elevated fire risk today. a little less of a fire risk for tomorrow because the winds won't be as gusty. Rain on the way, there's a chance as we go into the weekend is that moisture is going to get drawn up out ahead of the front. And it's likely going to be Saturday night when we get that shower in here. But as far as how much rain we need to get out of the drought in 30 days, it's a lot. And likely it's not going to happen.

So in three months time, the numbers get even higher. We're talking an average of 17, 18 inches of rainfall. And that too is likely not going to happen. It can take a long time to get out of the drought. time there's our chance Saturday night and again Monday night into Tuesday. Tuesday's looking a little bit more promising. You add both of those events up on average probably close to a half an inch of rain across the region. So I'll watch the front as it gets closer to us. Eighty-eight on Friday going to be hot as that front pushes in. Daytime should be dry. Clouds will increase, but by the time we get to the evening, there's a chance we're going to get some rain around here. Temperatures for tonight upper 40s in Roxborough, 50s in most areas. We'll call it seasonably cool. And then tomorrow, a warm one. mid to upper 80s for high. Still low humidity, but it should be a pretty darn nice day.

And we'll do it again on our Friday about 88 degrees as a dogwood festival kicks off. The ALS walk will be fine. Clouds increased during the day. The likelihood of rain is going to be probably after dinner time. So Saturday night and it's likely going to be a quarter inch or less. And some areas might miss out on rain. Damp on some areas early Sunday morning, mid-70s. And then right now looks a little bit more promising.

We could get some showers and thunderstorm. on our Tuesday. Steve, Lauren. Hello, Steve, thank you. New at five o'clock. Let's talk about weird, wacky and wonky names, the ones that can actually get you some recognition. All right, check this out. A bearded dragon in Fuqua Verena, taking home the top spot in this nationwide contest. We'll tell you what is pet parents named this guy right here. Yeah. All right. Speaking of pets, we're learning Mars Pet Care and Henderson ending operations this summer. The Vance County plant that makes popular pet foods is letting go of 150 employees, how the company and the chamber are trying to help. And it's been called one of the most anticipated restaurant openings anywhere here in the triangle.

It's called Lutra Cafe and Bakery. And it's coming to the American Tobacco Campus in Durham. We'll tell you what you can expect when the doors open there. And a slow start. Now we're seeing a rebound. We're talking about the fast growing housing market in Raleigh, what the latest housing report is showing about how the city of Oaks ranks nationwide when it comes to new listings. Also coming up here, a Wake County Farm is pumping the brakes right now on its fresh food delivery business

with the owners saying about high gas prices and how that's impacting their bottom line. Yeah, we will see you for the news at 5 o'clock in just a few, Barbara and Amber. All right. Thank you so much. Coming up next to four, marking Earth Day. The big way one group of students in Durham are celebrating our planet today. Here's tonight's ABC Primetime Preview. At 8.7 Central, a two-part Abbott Elementary season finale event. First, it's Ava Fest, and Ava's determined to make it her biggest yet.

Then at 83730 Central, the Abbott crew is heading to Miami for the weekend. At 9-8 Central, it's the season finale of the Greatest Average American. Host Nate Vargetzi turns corraling shopping carts into a sport. And on the season finale of Shark Tank at 10-9 Central, see which shark will get a slice of a unique family pizza business. That's followed by your late local news. Then Jimmy Kimmel Live with guests, Adam Scott, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walls.