ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - April 6, 2026

Episode Date: April 6, 2026

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Breaking right now at 4 UNC makes a decision. Reports say the former head coach of the Denver Nuggets, Michael Malone, has tapped to become the Tar Heel's next men's basketball coach coming up his personal connection to UNC Chapel Hill. Also breaking President Trump revealing new details in that weekend rescue of a U.S. airman shot down in Iran. The new details were learning about the daring rescue. Breaking news in that historic lunar mission, the Artemis 2 crew swinging around the moon going where no man has ever traveled. Plus the parking price hike that could be coming to downtown Raleigh, the pushback coming from small business owners.

IWitness at 4 is next. 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, I Witness News. Breaking right now at 4, eyewitness News, Lawrence, who will be the next men's head basketball coach for the Carolina Tar Heel's Sources tell our sister network ESPN, the university is set to hire Michael Malone.

And we began with that news. Breaking news on this Monday. I'm Barbara Gibbs. I'm Amber Repenta. Michael Malone has spent over two decades as either a head coach or an assistant in the NBA. And his last job was the head coach of the Denver Nuggets. In fact, the 54-year-old is the all-time winningest coach in Denver history with a 471 to 327 career record, which led the Nuggets to their own. NBA championship in 2023 as well. He was fired by Denver last April and joined ESPN as an analyst

one month later. Now Malone would be the first North Carolina coach without prior playing or coaching experience at UNC in decades, but he does have a connection to the university. His daughter, Bridget, is a sophomore on the UNC volleyball team. We're working to find out more when Malone will be officially announced as UNC's next basketball coach. And Malone, of course, will replace Hubert Davis, who is fired after the Tar Hills were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament for the second straight year. And be sure to stay with us for more coverage on this breaking news. Our James Price will join us live at 5 o'clock in Chapel Hill with a lot of reaction to that big news.

We're also following breaking news in the war with Iran. Indeed, the president shares new details about this weekend's daring rescue of a second U.S. airman shot down behind enemy lines in Iran as he threatens more airstrikes. ABC's Karen Travers is at the White House with the very latest. President Trump is giving Iran until 8 p.m. Tuesday night to make a deal. The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night. If not, the U.S. will dramatically escalate its attacks, and for four hours, he says, target Iran's civilian infrastructure. We have a plan because of the power of our military, where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o'clock tomorrow night, where every

Every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again. Iran saying they would reciprocate any such attack. Some say the U.S. targeting this infrastructure could be viewed as a potential war crime. You know the war crime? War crime is allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Analysts say the rules of engagement vary. Got to consider whether these are, this is dual-use infrastructure. So if it's purely for civilians, then it's off limits.

If it's being used for military purposes, then it depends on the legal review. It can be struck. Earlier, Iran and the U.S. received a draft proposal for mediators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey, calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to try and find a way to end the war. Iran rejected the proposal and issued its own 10-point plan. U.S. officials described the counter-proposals. as not constructive to negotiations. The president came to the briefing room

to tout the daring rescue of those American airmen shot down Thursday over Iran. In the United States military, we leave no American behind. Asked if Iran must make a deal by his Tuesday deadline or open the Strait of Hormuz or both, the president said Iran must make a deal

that's acceptable to him and it must include the free traffic of oil. Karen Travers, ABC News, the White House. JPMorgan, CEO Jamie Diamond is warning investors about the potential impact of the Iran war on the U.S. economy. In his annual letter to shareholders, Diamond said the U.S. economy started the year out strong with President Trump's tax cuts and deregulatory agenda, which have helped insulate the company or the country from global economic issues so far. But there will eventually be a tipping point, he says. Diamond also said the risk of persistent oil prices jumping from the Iran War could alter the global supply chain, similar to what happened during the pandemic, creating a ripple effect throughout the U.S. stock market.

In the meantime, as the war continues, the price of gas also continues to rise. We found gas stations on U.S. 70 in Durham selling unleaded, unletted regular between 3.89 and 399 a gallon. Diesel is standing at a staggering $5.99 a gallon. The national average for unleaded regular hit $4.12 today. We are following more breaking news here at 4 o'clock. The crew of the Artemis 2 begins the historic lunar flyby. This is a live picture from NASA here, and you can see the moon there. The crew, which includes NC State grad, Christina Cook, going further into space than ever before.

Be sure to stay with Iwood Assues here at 4 o'clock as we track this historic mission. ABC News reporter, Rina Roy, will be joining us. Live at 415 with more on the lunar mission. Also new at 4. The Wake Forest woman arrested Sunday for shooting her uncle allegedly and then barricading herself in her home was in court today. 48-year-old Magda Holloway met with the Wake County judge today, accused of shooting her uncle at the family's home Sunday afternoon on Perini court. Holloway is currently an engineer with the city of Raleigh. The judge setting her bond at $200,000, ordering her to have no contact with the victim, her uncle.

Holloway's uncle telling eyewitness news that she allegedly tried to start an argument with him Sunday at the family's home. And when he refused to engage with her, he says that is when she shot him in the foot. Police say Holloway then barricaded herself inside the home for hours. A nearby resident describes what he saw.

We had pulled up to the stop sign and we saw about eight police cars and they had had guns drawn on the house. and around the house. It seemed like they were trying to, you know, maybe cooperate or get someone to come out of the house. And when we were leaving, more ambulances were coming on site. Holloway is due back in court on April 23rd. Now to some other local headlines in your speed feed. First, the woman charged in a deadly nightclub shooting in Raleigh faces a judge today. Martha Jones is charged with accessory after the fact in the March 22nd shooting.

at the patio nightclub. Today, the judge set bond at $200,000. She was also ordered to wear electronic monitoring. 35-year-old Giovanni Hernandez Amarillo is charged with killing Jorge Durantas Karanza. In all clears, given at a charter school following a bomb threat that forced students to evacuate. Research Triangle Charter Academy that happened this morning.

Chopper 11 over the campus as students evacuated. Instead of going on with classes, school administrators canceled school for the rest of the day. Authorities now searching for the person who called in that fake bomb threat. In Vance County, one person is dead after a stabbing near a home in Henderson. The sheriff's office says deputies responded to a home in the 100 block of Vincent Hoyle Road and Henderson early Sunday morning. When they got there, deputies say they found 26-year-old Josiah Wright in the front yard with multiple stab wounds.

We're told that she was rushed to the hospital where she later died. 24-year-old Nisha Wynn has been arrested in connection with that stabbing. Wynne is being held in the Vance County Detention Center. out bond. And that is your speed feed. Amber back to you. Barbara, thank you. It's time for first alert weather now on a Monday. Chief Mayor, I'll just don't show to present for crews this afternoon. Don, we went out this morning and I had to put a jacket on the dog. It was chilly. And Poco's going to need a bigger code later this week. I'm telling you, we get even cooler temperatures headed. We'll talk about that coming up. Good evening to you. We're dry out there. We're not going to see much

on the first alert Doppler net over the next several days. We are dry for a while. Lots of clouds working through with the cold front, but it's just to have any moisture to squeeze out and give us some showers. 64 right now on the self-help sky cameras. We look down Hay Street there in downtown Fayetteville. Northeast winds at five miles an hour. Checking temperatures from across the region, everybody in the 60s, a little below average for this time of year. 62 for you up in Roanokeet. 65, 63, Roxborough, Durham, Raleigh, 65 down in Clinton, 62 in Sanford. Everybody running about five to 10 degrees cooler compared to yesterday at this time. So let's first alert you to the evening ahead. And if you're taking your poco out for a walk tonight, temperatures will fall through the 60s and of the 50s.

You'll need a jacket, especially as we head toward the later part of the evening. We're going to talk more about even cooler taps headed in and a first alert to one chance at rain. And the seven-day forecast. We'll talk about it coming up. Ladies. We could use the rain. All right, Don, thank you. Happening now, the Raleigh City Council is holding a budget work session.

this is a live look at that meeting. And as we first reported last month, city staff is considering higher rates for on-street and garage parking as part of the next city budget to help close an $8 million operating shortfall. Sean Coffey is live in downtown Raleigh with a closer look at the proposal and the potential impact for businesses because, you know, people don't want to pay higher parking rates. Yeah, that's right, Barbara and Amber.

As you just mentioned, last month, city staff presented these options for proposed parking increases to both the mayor and city council, but that drew a pretty strong backlash from the small business community, especially in downtown Raleigh. Today's proposal does back off some of the more drastic measures that were in that original presentation, specifically the very popular Raleigh two-hour free parking program at several city-owned decks downtown and the small business program, which allows employees at downtown businesses to park for free, are both protected in this latest proposal being presented today. The city's recommendation today will also keep street parking free on nights and weekends, but several price hikes could still be on the way, including to metered parking downtown and increases to monthly parking permits and the city's event and non-event garages. One downtown business owner we spoke with said the city needs to do whatever it can to make parking easy and accessible for everyone.

Our Saturdays have gone through the roof, and I'm convinced that people are coming back downtown on the weekends and that if we had to, if people had to pay on a regular Saturday, that would not be the case. So this is this is huge for small businesses and I think it's huge for people who like to come to Raleigh. And there's still a range of price hikes being considered, which at the potentially largest end would double metered rates from 125 an hour to 2.15 hour while increasing hourly rates in garages. Blondon says she hopes whatever decision has reached, it's informed by the city's data. And as you mentioned, council is meeting right now to consider some of these proposals that city staff presentation should begin. Shortly we'll have more coming up on

eyewitness news at 5. Live in Raleigh, Sean Coffey, ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, we'll hear what they have to say, Sean. Thank you. Meantime, it appears Raleigh's 4th of July celebration will return to Dix Park this year, a year after the fireworks display was held at Carter Finley Stadium and the Lenovo Center. During tomorrow's regular city council meeting, city leaders will discuss additional funding for the event. A $500,000 budget amendment is needed for enhanced safety measures, transportation, and to accommodate the large crowd. Well now for Wake County Commissioners

talking spending for the next fiscal year. During today's budget work session, commissioners got updates on budget requests from Wake County schools and the growing population. Also the challenges of inflation and the volatile stock market. The way County Commissioner's regular meeting had just started here at the top of the hour.

The agenda for that meeting includes awarding a construction contract for Holly Springs Community Libraries, renovation project. So we'll be listening in to that. And next year at 4 honoring Carrie Everett. The former Miss North Carolina and North Carolina Central University student passes away after a battle with cancer.

Coming up, how the HBCU is remembering her. Plus, mission to the moon, the crew of Artemis 2, getting a glimpse of the lunar surface features that no human eyes have ever seen before. We have a live report coming up. Don? And we're taking a live look at First Alert Traffic this hour. We're looking at 885 in TW. Alexander. Volume's picking up a little bit, but it is sailing along on both sides just fine.

As we hit a break here, your traffic hotspots brought to you by the First Alert Forecasting. The ABC 11 First Alert Forecast Team is working to keep you safe. Oneies 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.

Right now at 4, we are remembering Kim. Mary Everett, a former Miss North Carolina, her family telling IWitness News that her battle with cancer has ended. We first brought you her story last year. After winning the title of Miss North Carolina in 2024, Everett, a student at North Carolina Central was diagnosed with Cigna Ring Cell Carcinoma. That's a rare and aggressive, advanced form of cancer. And today, NC Central's Chancellor, Dr. Carrie Dixon, releasing this statement saying in part, Carrie will be remembered as a trailblazer who shared her inspirational talent and leadership with so many. As a sophomore in 2024, she became the first current HBCU student to be named Miss North Carolina.

Carrie's family tells us that she was surrounded by family in Washington State when she passed away. Breaking right now for history made this afternoon in outer space. The Artemis 2 crew going further into space than ever before as they're now developing that crucial. lunar flyby. Overnight, the crew released these new images of the moon and this new picture, of course, of NC State grad Christina Cook. The astronauts are now observing 30 different lunar targets including craters on the moon and mysterious formations. ABC News reporter Rina Roy joining us live from New York with the latest on this very historic space journey. Hi Rina. Hey, Barbara and Amber. Yeah,

that's right. This is just a huge day for space exploration, right? And we We have all been watching in amazement here on Earth as history is made thousands and thousands of miles away in outer space. These astronauts are laying their eyes on parts of the moon that we have never seen before. It's the journey to the moon captivating the country, the Orion space capsule making a historic lunar flyby this afternoon, first setting a record for the farthest distance traveled by humans in space. We will continue our turn.

passing the mark set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. Today, for all humanity, you're pushing beyond that frontier. The four astronauts taking turns observing the moon, including craters and previous moon landing sites, and then the far side of the moon. These new images showing the moon and Earth from their vantage point. This is when they're going to show why human eyes can do things that the vehicles that have mapped the whole moon previously can't really see. The crew posting these photos from space, writing morning routine, wake up, shave, make the bed,

witness something that's never before been seen by human eyes. Ahead of the mission today, they received this pre-recorded message from the late Jim Lovell, who was an astronaut on Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 decades ago. Hello, my husband is Joe. This is Apollo astronaut, Jim Lovell. Welcome to my old neighborhood. ABC News speaking with the astronauts last week about their excitement to be part of his. What do you want to tell Americans here at home who are watching this right now? First and foremost, I would just like to say thank you. Your support and trust in us has enabled this and so many people that have worked for so long to make this possible.

But also we're just getting started. That's just so exciting. And the crew will also get a look at Rainer Gamma. It's a mysterious formation that scientists are still trying to understand. And they'll get to see other planets in the solar system, including Mercury. Mars, Venus, and Saturn. Barbara, Amber. All right. Thank you so much, Rina Roy, such exciting news. Yeah, really incredible. Rita, thank you.

Coming up on eyewitness news today at 5, we'll hear from three Duke University experts following the moon mission. They'll give us insight on the human health engineering and economic challenges involved in this ongoing mission. Well, back here on Earth, let's talk about our atmosphere, and that leads us straight to Don Schwittaker. Hey, ladies. How you doing, Jim? Good. Good. Good. Good. Yes, very good. I was hoping for a little bit more rain than we saw. Boy, I think absolutely everybody was.

Yeah, we knew it would be less than a half inch, but some places got less than a quarter inch. And unfortunately, we just don't have a lot to show you over the next seven days. Live look at First Alert Doppler net tonight scanning the skies. We're dry across our part of the Carolina as we stay that way all week long. We're looking live into downtown Durham.

We do have high clouds working through. That's from a frontal boundary that's trying to push through, but it just doesn't have any moisture at the surface to ring out of the air. shower just cloudy skies 63 on the southwest wind at three temperatures from across the triangle zemite is 70 74 in zebulin 64 night deal 63 raleigh raleighallie carrie morrisville 62 for you in holly springs 63 in chapel hill roxborough oxford checks in at 61 61 ronokeappets 63 rocky mountain siler city six is and fives from clinton to febill on over to pinehurst

and overnight we'll go from the 60s into the 40s for lows These are typical temperatures for this time of year. It just feels cool because we've been so warm over the past couple of weeks. 46 is our normal. We'll go to 48, Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville. Satellite radar composite shows the cloud streaming through. If we zoom it out, this is a cool front, but it just doesn't have any rain to work with. All the rain staying up to the north, and it's going to stay that way.

Some snow through the Great Lakes and through the Dakotas. But around here, we stay dry. Your first alert predictor forecast model. By tomorrow morning, that flow continues, so we'll still see the cloud cover out. there just like we're seeing this afternoon. That will limit the amount of sunshine. We did see some sunshine today. Not as much is going to break through tomorrow. So it'll be a couple of degrees cooler in spots. Skies will clear as we head into Wednesday morning. We drop to around freezing. And this is why we tell folks not to put their plants out until after tax day just because we

still have a potential at seeing some frost out there. And then as we get into Wednesday afternoon, those numbers will be even cooler. High staying in the 50s for the midweek. Forecast looks like this for tomorrow temperatures across the region in the 60s with a mix of clouds and sunshine your first alert seven day forecast shows temperatures into the low 60s on wednesday many places staying in the 50s Thursday partly sunny 69 Friday and saturday you get the peak city pig fest an apex ABC 11 a proud sponsor of that should be great for it Sunday 82 back into the 80s next week the only chance of rain and it's a 10% chance is Sunday night ladies all right Got to hang on. Keep our fingers crossed. Thank you so much. Membership Warehouse Club,

BJs. It's extending its hours. Next year, 4 o'clock details on how long you have to shop now at the popular store. And new at 4. Turning something old and Durham into something new. A closer look at the plan to bring affordable housing to the side of the city's former police headquarters. Where are my gloves? Come on, heat. Any day now? Winter is hard, but your groceries don't. don't have to be. This winter, stay warm. Tap the banner to order your groceries online at voila.ca.

Enjoy in-store prices without leaving your home. You'll find the same regular prices online as in-store. Many promotions are available both in-store and online, though some may vary. Right now at 4. Bringing more affordable housing options to the Bull City, it appears the city of Durham is ready to transform part of the site where the old police headquarters sits into much-needed affordable housing units. Akela Davis is joining us live. She's on West Chapel Hill Street with more on this plan and what comes next.

Akela, this has been a long time in the making. A long time in the making, indeed, Amber. Listen, affordable housing experts see this empty lot as a prime opportunity. They say it could provide housing for dozens of families and the city appears to be on board. We definitely all care about having some, you know, affordable units on this site as well as some type of revenues. and making sure that it makes sense for the site overall. Not everybody's going to get what they want. Reaction from Durham Mayor Leo Williams during the March 19th work session.

As community organization, Durham Can presented two development plans aimed at tackling the city's affordable housing crisis. Council members ultimately decided on scenario two, a seven-story building with 80 units totaling $26 million. Members of Durham Cannes say they've been working. working on this proposal for 10 years. The idea is to build affordable housing on the site of the old Durham police headquarters,

leaving the rest of the property open for future development. We were able to find a way that, yes, you could build affordable housing and not stall development on the rest of the property. And so that really was our objective, was to demonstrate that it was possible to build affordable housing now. And ahead at five, I'll tell you what's next

for this building, the old Durham police headquarters, which has set vacant and empty for the past eight years, reporting live in Durham. Akela Davis, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Right, Akela, thank you. Time now for some news you can use. Baseball season is here, and the Holly Springs Talamanders are hiring. A hiring event is happening this Thursday from 430 to 730 at the North Main Athletic Complex. Job positions include ticket sellers, promotional teams, game day operations, ticket scanners,

and the amateur baseball team is also looking for a mascot. BJ's Wholesale Club announcing its extending hours for all locations beginning today. All locations including gas will now stay open until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sundays and with gas prices rising nearly every day, BJ's members can save an extra 10 cents per gallon through the wholesale club's fuel savers program. We have a heads up for Samsung users. Samsung messages going away. That's the phone maker's homegrown text message app. Samsung is advising users. to update to Google messages. The company is discontinuing Samsung messages in July. And that is news you can use. Amber, back to you. Barbara, thanks. And we continue to follow the new developments in the war with Iran next here at 4.

New reaction from our military community as President Trump promises more airstrikes after Iran shot down to U.S. aircraft. And new developments in the eyedrop murder case in North Carolina, a man charged with poisoning his wife, the plea he made in court. We are When West Jet first took flight in 1996, the vibes were a bit different. People thought denim on denim was peak fashion, inline skates were everywhere, and two out of three women rocked, the Rachel.

While those things stayed in the 90s, one thing that hasn't is that fuzzy feeling you get when West Jetting welcomes you on board. Here's to West Jetting since 96. Travel back in time with us and actually travel with us at westjet.com slash 30 years. Local news, ABC 11 eyewitness news

continues now. New at 4, Cape Fear Valley Health, celebrating the opening of its new orthopedic spine surgery clinic in Fayetteville. A ribbon cutting for the facility was held this morning. The new clinic located off Rayford Road is an all-in-one clinic for patients to receive personalized care for spinal procedures and injuries. Cape Fair Valley Health says this clinic will help streamline care for spinal patients, making receiving care quicker. Patients get to receive their care close the home. You know, if they stay within our network, their primary care providers, other specialists that they see are in the same medical record system that way they have or that we have. Therefore, you know, many of our patients and their providers are up today on their care

at all steps of their journey. This new clinic will serve all eight hospitals in the Cape Fear Valley Health System across multiple counties in the Sand Hills. Covering the Carolinas now east of Charlotte, a former police chief is now facing a felony charge for second degree rape. William Green was arrested yesterday and booked into the custody of Stanley County. He is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl who was either physically or mentally incapacitated at the time. Green was the former police chief of the town of Norwood and also served as an officer in the town of Oakboro. And there is an update in the case of a Gasson County man charged with killing his wife by poisoning her with eye drops. Joshua

Hunsucker has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and insurance. fraud. He is also accused of trying to poison his 10-year-old daughter, but she survived. The incident happened in 2018. Prosecutors claim he killed his wife to collect more than $200,000 in life insurance. He's also accused of intimidating his late wife's parents in an effort to blame them for her death. Well, now to a tragedy in Katowba County, the family of a seven-year-old boy in mourning after he drowned in a pond while trying to save a friend. It happened Friday night near Bruce Meisner Park and Hickory. Deputies say they have received information that the seven-year-old who came to the park with a friend and an adult was possibly unsupervised at the time of the drowning. They say

that they are investigating those allegations and report that the seven-year-old may have gone into the water to help his friend. It breaks my heart because he saved his friend and lost his. There needs to be awareness that this is very dangerous. Just looking at the situation is very, very, very dangerous. It's heartbreaking. In the meantime, the mayor of Hickory says city leaders will look at whether changes need to be made in this area. Well, now let's take a live look at Sunset Beach on the North Carolina coast, a man and woman now facing child abuse charges accused of intentionally holding a child upside down by her legs with her face submerged in the water against her will while she was screaming and crying. Christopher Lee and Leslie McClam are both charged with one kind of misdemeanor

child abuse social services is now investigating. Well next to four moving on while still grieving. Savannah Guthrie returning to work today as the investigation in the abduction of her mother continues. And flu season may be winding down. Cases though of RSV are still spreading how some states are now responding to the health alert. Right now at four, Savannah Guthrie is back to work on the today show today. That's about taking about two months off due to her mother's disappearance. Nancy Guthrie is still missing. Despite an extensive search, the Younger Guthrie is a 19-year veteran of NBC. In your health check here at 4.30, a new study shows fewer pregnant women in emergency rooms have been taking acedaminophen. That, of course, is the generic name for Tylenol.

The research in the journal The Lancet follows many health professionals and medical organizations criticizing the Trump administration's efforts, which scared pregnant women from using acetaminopin after they said that research linked its use to causing autism. Most experts say there is no such connection. Major medical associations say acetaminophen is the safest over the counter pain and fever reliever during pregnancy. In the meantime, most states are extending

the window for RSV immunizations. Those shots for infants and toddlers will now be available through the end of April as the virus continues to linger after the usual time that it starts to wane. RSV typically follows fall to spring patterns with immunizations recommended through the end of March, but this season has shifted a bit. Federal data shows

positivity rates are significantly higher than this time last year. The extension means providers can keep offering protection for a longer period. Experts say that's critical as RSV remains the leading cause of infant hospitalizations. Coming up next to four, new reaction on President Trump's new executive order. It is aimed to limit NC double A transfer portal movements, plus cheering on the Yukon Huskies, the hometown player that is set to take his shot for the national championship tonight. In All-American City, the Triangle Town, that is among the finalists this year. Right now at four, President Trump threatening to destroy all of Iran's bridges and power plants if they do not agree to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

This follows the daring rescue this weekend of two U.S. aviators who were shot down in Iran. Penelopee Lopez is in the sandhills where she spoke with local residents to get their reaction. For weeks, President Trump has sent mixed messaging, saying the war in Iran is winding down while also threatening more attacks. Residents I spoke with here in Fayetteville say they're questioning why we're still there. I'm not really particular on the war. We are now six weeks into the conflict in Iran, and some residents I spoke with today in Fayetteville still have questions. I can't see no other reason why we're still over there. Ben Huggins, who has called Fayetteville home for over a decade, is doubtful things.

will get better. Iran, they don't want the United States over there. They want them to leave and they should leave. And I figure longer they stay over there, it's going to continue. It's going to get bad. This follows Friday's dramatic downing of a fighter jet over Iranian territory. Both pilots ejecting with one force to hide in the mountains while being hunted by the Iranians. On Sunday, after what U.S. officials are describing as an almost cinematic mission, U.S. troops were able to rescue the pilot. the people who actually did find the fighter pilot and all that stuff because, I mean, hey, you just haven't to find yourself in the most difficult circumstances in a very, very, very hostile

country. So, I mean, I'm glad he's, I'm glad he's well, alive and found. Borgon in Fayetteville. I'm Penelope Lopez, ABC 11. I witness news. New at four now, Morrisville is among the 20 finalists for this year's All-American City Award. According to the National Civic League, the Wake County Town has distinguished itself through its commitment to strengthening civic health and building trust. In June, Morrisville leaders will travel to Denver, Colorado to present why the town should be named in all-American cities. So stay tuned. Meantime, tonight, a Raleigh-Native and former Milbrook High School basketball star is gearing up to play in the national championship game. Yukon Guard Silas Demery grew up in Raleigh and helped bring Milbrook the first state championship in Boys Basketball.

basketball back in 2021. I would assume he spoke with Demoree's coach as Milbrook Chris Davis about his time there with the wildcats as he watched the end of Yukon's dramatic comeback win over Duke in the elite eight where Demoree reflected a pass deflected a pass in the final seconds leading to a game winning basket. Davis says that he had a deja vu to this steal from the former star that sealed Milbrook's first state title in program history back in 2021. Davis called it a winning play from a winning He is going to do what it takes for the team to win. He wasn't shooting great in that game. He started making threes. He was getting the ball to people in different places. He was playing great defense. He was just getting after it. And that was him. Like literally, he could have averaged 25 points a game for us. Probably average 10 to 15 because he just he just did what we needed. And Davis called Demery one of the hardest working players he's ever coached and said the Millbrook family will be watching closely as Yukon takes on Michigan tonight in the title game.

Now for the transfer portal for NCAA women's basketball is now open and the men's portal is set to open tomorrow after the game tonight. This of course happening on the heels of a new executive order just signed by President Trump, which could impact eligibility. Michael Perchick joins us from outside Reynolds Coliseum on NC State's campus with the details. As coaches here at NC State and across the country set their sights and putting together their rosters for next season, there is now an added layer of uncertainty. thanks to a federal effort aimed at limiting players' ability to transfer. The introduction of NIL in the transfer portal has opened a new frontier for college sports, allowing top stars to cash in on big offers. We've had athletes that have transferred up, even from the Division II level,

where they weren't making any money and then going to the opportunity to have six-figure to seven-figure deals. But now those athletes may have a more challenging time doing so. Friday, President Trump signed an executive order that calls on the NCAA to create rules, limiting athletes to a five-year competition period and only one transfer without needing to sit out a season. Christopher Overton is the CEO and founder of Belief Sports Group and feels that unfairly hinders opportunities. Even thinking about their academics and maybe their degree path, if they're making moves and they're deciding to transfer for what's best for them in their individual situation, how can we fairly put a cap on that and say, you know, you can only transfer once just because you excel at a certain sport? Separately, the executive order calls on the NCAA to create a national registry for agents

and to enact policies that would bar schools from cutting scholarships, women's or Olympic sports, to compensate student athletes. For schools that play an athlete that does not meet these requirements, their federal funding may be at risk. The NCAA has long sought congressional assistance in setting up a framework to rein in the current environment. In a joint statement, UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts and athletics director Bubba Cunningham addressed the executive order, writing in part, As the landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that we establish greater clarity, consistency, and sustainability across college athletics. To that end, we appreciate the continued support and engagement that President Trump and his administration have demonstrated with the recent executive order. This would go into effect August 1st. However, it's important to stress that legal experts broadly believe if this is challenged in court, it would be struck down.

From NC State on Michael Perchick, ABC 11, High Witness News. Well now to today's top trending stories in real news. First, the Corgi Derby race in Scotland, going down to the wire. Take a look and listen. They're off. They're racing in the Corgi Derby. Rodney is very quickly away. Toffee is nearest to us as well.

Rupert's showing very good pace and Ailey coming through in the closing stages, looking around for dangers. But Ailey has absolutely romped up to Rodney. How cute is that? In the end, it was Ailey securing the win. I think the name should be Ice Lay, though. ground champion of the 2026 Corgi Derby. According to the race course, the three year old Corgi's motto is

run fast but nap hard. The motto of a champion. Now to Canada and a family getting quite a surprise after finding their curious cat chilling in an air vent after he had been missing for hours. There's Chez. Where are you? Come on.

Come on. Come on. According to the family, their cat named Chez was on, his way into their air event while some renovations were being done on their home. And they finally found the cat after searching for him for hours, but it appears Chez was not ready to come down. Chillin in the air vent. Now to the latest TikTok trend showing parents responding to their children's crying tantrums by randomly shouting the name Jessica.

A mom in Greenville, North Carolina tried it out. And here's what happened. Jessica? Jessica? Jessica! Are you there? Jessica! That's Chrislyn Coon's toddler who immediately stopped crying, looking around for Jessica,

forgetting about her tantrum. Dozens of other parents have also tried this method, sharing their toddler's reactions on TikTok, and all of the crying tantrums ended as the toddler started looking around and confusion as they looked for the elusive Jessica. This might be a way to stop a tantrum. That's real news. Barbara, back to you. All right, Amber, thank you.

President Trump of the First Lady Melania Trump carrying on a White House tradition today. a host of the annual Easter egg roll and in North Carolina companies helping make that event possible. Braswell Family Farms in Nashville donated more than 30,000 eggs for the roll. The event on the White House lawn officially dates back to 1878, but firsthand accounts suggest Easter rolling parties happen under President Abraham Lincoln. They had nice weather for that Easter egg rolled on. I wonder how many of those kids went, can we do this like on an iPad or something? We have to go outside to roll the Easter eggs.

Great, great day forward there, though. Nice day around here too. We've seen the clouds roll in and that's helping hold the temperatures down or dry out there tonight. First alert Doppler net not showing any rainfall. You can see the clouds hanging over downtown Durham on the mutual tower, sky cam. 63 and a southwest wind at seven miles per hour. Looking at temperatures from across the region, 62 for you in Oxford, 64 out your door in South Hills, 61 Rone Oak Rapids, 65 Smithfield, 63 in Sanford, 65 in Southern Pines and 63 in Siler City. Looking at the evening ahead. temperature is falling through the 60s into the 50s by the time we go on for ABC 11 at 11. Sadly, not a chance of seeing any precipitation over the next five days. I know we love the springtime weather, but we're getting to the point where we really need that rainfall. Your four-day forecast at 4 o'clock shows those temperatures in the 60s. Little cooler on Wednesday below average, then we jump back to the 70s by the end of the week. We'll talk about the 80s working for the weekend coming up.

Let's find out what else is coming up at 5 o'clock. For that, we check in with Stephen Lauren. Hello, Don, the city of Raleigh, growing up and new at five, we have some updates on some of those big projects. Yeah, we have a status report on the progress at the new city hall downtown. And there's news coming out of North Hills, the Innovation District, new businesses there putting the final touches on their new spaces. We'll have updates on both of those projects coming up. Also, an update tonight on the man accused of killing his longtime housekeeper and then fleeing to Virginia. Matthew Vookmer has not faced those murder charges just yet.

We'll explain why. Also coming up, a local business owner takes his food to the shark tank out in L.A., but he couldn't exactly reel in a deal. Joel Brown shows us the lost video from Hollywood in an episode that never actually aired here on ABC 11. And we are going live to Okra Coke where someone died over the weekend after a boat capsized there. More on the Coast Guard's investigation underway right now. And we continue with the team coverage on the search for a head coach at UNC. Our sister station ESPN reporting, Tar Heels have now closed in to hire longtime NBA coach Mike Malone. He has a very personal attachment to Chapel Hill. We'll have more from campus when we see you next year at 5 o'clock,

All right, sounds great. Stephen Lauren, thank you. Coming up next and four teenagers hit the road to explore the country. But there is a catch. Where the students end up isn't up to them. We have details of this unique exchange program coming up. Here's tonight's ABC primetime preview. At 8-7 Central, it's American Idol where the live shows continue. Due to overwhelming voting, there was no elimination last week. We are not going to announce elimination tonight. What happens tonight? We do know the remaining. And the maining contestants will perform 90s hits secretly chosen by Luke Brian, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood in the judge's song contest. And at 10-9 Central, it's the rookie. When a teacher from a local school turns up dead, the team is pulled into a complex case of interwoven clues.

Zoe, she saw something about it in a DM from Lynette when she was going through CJ's phone. How are we further from figuring this out than when we started? That's followed by your late local news, then Jimmy Kimmel Live with guests, Jason Siegel, and Abidavis. Elementary star Lisa Ann Walter.