ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - December 15, 2025

Episode Date: December 15, 2025

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Right now at 4, your first alert to another frigid night ahead, but once we get through that, there's a warm-up on the way for the days ahead. We're following breaking news and other presidential visit to North Carolina when President Trump is expected to make a stop in our state and where that visit will take him. And we're hearing from the local alumni chapter of Brown University after the deadly campus shooting over the weekend that claimed the lives of two students. This, as authorities say, the gunman is still on the loose. Right now, live coverage from your local. 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. We are following breaking news right now at 4 Riverside High School in Durham on lockdown.

Chopper 11 on the way right now. Here's what we know at this hour. Durham public school leaders are telling our business that they got an anonymous tip about a gun on campus. This school is on lockdown as law enforcement does its search dismissal for the school is set for 415. That could be delayed, though. We will continue to follow this breaking news. The developments here as Riverside High School is on lockdown after a report of a gun on campus. We will share any new updates as we get them. Our other top story right now this Monday, your first alert forecast. It looks like fall outside with all the leaves on the ground. It is feeling, though, a lot like winter. I'm sure you've noticed if you step down. The temps below freezing for much of the day.

Leaf blowers were out there doing their work, but they had to stay bundled up just like all of us. There's one of those bundled up leaf blowers doing their thing. This Arctic blast continues into tonight, but a warm up is on the way. All right, let's go to meteorologist Cruz Medina. It's got the details. Boy, when we say warm, what do we mean warm?

Well, it's gonna feel like spring a little later this week, but I could say for this morning, it was a frigid start. So the coldest day that we've had in over a thousand days. We have to look back to December 24th of 2022 to find a day that was as cold as this morning. So 14 was that official low.

Watch the temperature swing up through the next few days. So by Thursday, we should be in the low 60s for highs. Once again, that's feeling like spring. And if you're wondering what the difference is between this morning and what we'll see Thursday afternoon, it's about a 47 degree temperature jump. So a significant boost in our temperature's through the next few days. This is a live look in North Hills.

Tipters there at 35 degrees. We've got 34 up in Roxborough and Lewisburg and 35 down in Fayetteville. So it will be a chilly evening. It's definitely going to stay in those 30s and 20s, so not too much different than yesterday. It's just we don't have all of that wind. So those feels like tipters aren't going to be as harsh. Through tonight, though, you'll definitely want to stay bundled up if you're heading out.

Now, in the overnight hours, we will have a few clouds moving through, but without the presence of any thick clouds, those tipters will bottom out in the low to mid-20s. So that's where we're starting the day as we go into tomorrow. So if you're stepping out for a walk early in the morning, you'll want the layers once again. And then by the time we get into midday, you see those temperatures already pushing into the low 40s. We will top out near 50 degrees tomorrow in most areas across North Carolina. Plenty of sunshine tomorrow and then it keeps getting warmer. But we've also got some rain chances in the forecast.

We'll break those down coming up in just a few minutes. Back to you. All right, Cruz, see you soon with more. Thank you. Shelters are open across the region to help people stay warm. Wake County has four white flag shelters. The locations are listed there on. your screen and on ABC11.com.

There are separate ones for men, women, families, and survivors of domestic violence. And as we deal with the Arctic Air, now is a great time to download the ABC 11 mobile app. You can stay up to date on current weather conditions. And you can also check the seven day forecast anytime and our first alert Doppler net. And breaking right now at 4 o'clock,

we are learning President Donald Trump is set to visit North Carolina this week. He'll be speaking in Rocky Mount this Friday, December the 19th. Trump was last in North Carolina back in June to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary. The event on Friday will be held at the Rocky Mount Event Center on Northeast Main Street

beginning at 6 p.m. will of course be there and bring you the latest details as the president comes to our area. Developing now, the search for the gunman continues around Providence, Rhode Island. After a shooter opened fire at Brown University, at least two students are dead and nine others injured. A class of 2025 graduate of the Durham Academy,

Kendall Turner is among those injured. We are still working to learn more about her condition. And meantime, the urgent manhunt continues this afternoon after police released a person of interest from custody. And today we're learning more about the victims. ABC's Rena Roy is at the campus in Providence. FBI agents and police officers gathering evidence at Brown University's engineering building and searching the neighborhood with canines as they work to track down the shooter in Saturday's deadly attack. A person of interest was detained but then released upon further investigation. The scientific evidence that we have available to us after it was analyzed, made clear that this was not someone who should be detained in connection with this case.

Investigators working off surveillance video taken Saturday. This one far away showing a person of interest wearing all black, walking away from the shooting location, and another a little closer. Both taken just minutes after the gunfire that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. On Saturday, just after 4 p.m. as final exams and study session, were underway, students suddenly running for cover, hiding under desks and barricading doors, the campus on lockdown for hours. I heard the first series of gunshots like a pup, pup, pup, so I started screaming, active shooter, active shooter run.

Student McCormid Umerzikov was shot and killed, according to the U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan, though ABC News has not confirmed the death. This photo shared in a GoFundMe posted by the family. Sophomor Ella Cook also killed and remembered as a bright light in the community. community. The College Republicans of America posting this picture saying she was vice president of the group at Brown. She was nothing but peaceful and pleasant. Really, her loss is really, really a big hit for the Brown community. Now, as for those who are still recovering in the hospital, six of them are listed in critical but stable condition. Rina Roy, ABC News, Providence, Rhode Island.

Rina, thanks. And Brown alumni from across the Triangle are also reacting to the mass shooting over the weekend. The Brown Alumni Club of the Triangle has more than 100 members. Co-president Melanie Jones says it is a devastating tragedy that has saddened the entire community. Brown's a really special place. It's, you know, a fantastic Ivy League institution. These kids worked really, really hard to get there. And their education will be changed by this experience.

and it's not fair. And as we said, eyewitnesses has learned one of the injured students at Brown. Kendall Turner was a former student at Durham Academy.

Her family says she is stable but listed in critical condition. Our Cindy Bay will join us live with more reaction from the community

coming up at 5 o'clock. Well, now to the death of legendary movie director Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in their home

in Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Sources say the couple was discovered stabbed to death on Sunday. And now, Reiner's son is in custody.

32-year-old Nick Reiner was booked for suspicion of murder. He's being held on $4 million bond. We have our robbery homicide division handling the investigation. They worked throughout the night on this case and were able to take into custody Nick Reiner, a suspect in this case. And since the news of the couple's death, mourners laid flowers at the Hollywood Boulevard star of Rob Reiner. Reiner's best known for his role on the hit sitcom All in the Family back in the 70s and a number of blockbuster movies throughout the decades. ABC News is following the

latest developments on both the death of Rob Reiner and his wife as well as the Brown University shooting. So look for the latest on World News tonight with David Muir, following eyewitness news at 6. Now to some other local headlines in your speed feed this Monday. First, a death investigation underway in Fayetteville. Police say they responded to a report. of a suspicious death on Bragg Boulevard near Skybow Road just before 8.30 this morning. Police say they found a woman dead. She has not yet been identified, but authorities believe she was living in a wooded area nearby. The cause of death is under investigation. The former UNC Rex nurse accused of sexually assaulting patients remains behind bars after

no bond was issued at today's hearing. Brian Alvarez Ortiz was back in court facing new charges after a third victim accused him of assault. Authorities say the victim, were sedated and recovering from surgery. Ortiz's next court date is set for December 31st. Raleigh police are investigating after a man and woman were found dead at an apartment complex. Police responded to Foxwood apartment shortly after 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon near 540 in Fox Road in North Raleigh. Police found a woman and man both had been shot to death inside an apartment unit. Police are still working to learn if the circumstances surrounded the shooting and if and how the two victims knew each other.

Happening in the next hour, the town of Kerry will hold an emergency meeting to select an interim town manager, and it comes as the current town manager. Sean Stiegel is on administrative leave after questions about his use of town money. Reports uncovered by the ABC 11I team showed a nearly $2,500 hotel bill for an AI conference in Boston. Tonight's meeting begins at 5 o'clock and we'll have live coverage on my witness news here at 6. That is your speed feed. Barbara, back over to you. All right, Amber, thank you.

We'll turning down to the latest push to get more public school funding in North Carolina. Today, educators and parents push back against the state Supreme Court for not taking up the Leandro's school funding case before the end of this year. That case states all the way back to 1994 when five low wealth school districts attempted to get more state funding. In 2021, a superior court judge ordered the state to transfer more than a billion dollars toward an eight-year plan to provide public school students with high-year. quality teachers and principals. That amount has since been reduced, but payments have been challenged along party lines for the last three years without a ruling marking one of the longest stretches between arguments and a final ruling in state history. Great public schools create strong communities and strong communities create a strong North Carolina. And when our

elected leaders fail our schools, they are not only failing our students, they are failing their families, our workforce, and the future of this state. The state last heard arguments in the Leandro case in February of 2024, when Republican lawmakers challenged an earlier ruling that the courts can order money to be spent on public schools. Those lawyers argued that only the General Assembly has the authority to order the spending of state dollars. Coming up next year at 4 o'clock, police in Fayetteville have identified the man killed in a shooting over the weekend. What we're learning about the moments leading up to the incident.

And the death toll rises after that mass shooting in Australia, father and son now accused of opening fire during a Hanukkah celebration. And keeping drivers safe on the road this holiday season, the message from the statewide booze it and lose it campaign, plus the new unit from Raleigh Police to crack down on impaired driving. Cruz? Well, it's time for a check of first alert traffic. This is I-40 at Airport Boulevard, and nice to see things moving along out there.

But look at the sheer volume of those cars. It's definitely getting busy as we head into the rush hour. we had to break here are your traffic hotspots brought to you by the first alert weather team your first alert that we could have some low visibility warmer air working in more clouds around tomorrow the next chance of rain that we're watching always tracking always alerting wind gusts will be up around 30 miles an hour your first alert forecast team ABC 11 i witness news the we continue to follow breaking news right now at four riverside high school and Durham is on lockdown chopper 11 just arriving on the

scene. Durham public school leaders telling us they got an anonymous tip about a gun on campus and you can see a big police presence there. The school is on lockdown as officers conduct a search. Now we also have breaking news crew on the ground reporting from police on the scene dismissal for the school would normally be happening around now. That means a lot of parents as you see there as well as law enforcement they're also lined up waiting to get their kids. We're going to continue to follow the breaking developments. Share any updates as we get them. And we have new details on a deadly shooting in Fayetteville this afternoon. It happened Sunday morning on Clifthdale Road.

Police now identifying the victim as 34-year-old Xavier Griffin of Fayetteville. Another man was also shot and is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators say there was an argument that led up to that shooting. There's no word on any suspects at this time. Now to the anti-Semitic attack in Australia, at least 16 people are dead, 42 injured, when officials say two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at a popular beach. is joining us now with the very latest on the investigation, Lauren. Yeah, Barbara and Amber, this is the worst mass shooting nearly 30 years since this has happened.

And authorities say it was a targeted act of terrorism on the Jewish community, new video showing that chaos as it unfolded as hundreds of beachgoers ran from the gunfire. Video also shows one gunman aiming from a bridge at the crowd of more than a thousand people. The suspects now being identified as a father and son. Police say they targeted the crowd during a celebration marking the first day of Hanukkah. A bystander now being hailed a hero as he rushed one of those gunmen taking the weapon out of his hands. That man is a genuine hero, and I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery. Police say they shot and killed one of the suspects. The other gunman is in critical condition.

Police say one of them was a licensed gun owner with six firearms. They have not yet revealed a motive. Meanwhile, Pope Leo reacting to that shooting calling for an end to anti-Semitic violence. he released a statement on X saying, quote, enough with this anti-Semitic violence. Let us eliminate hatred from our hearts. The Pope also said he is praying for those who are impacted. Amber. Lauren, thank you.

Developing now, Brian Walsh has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Anna Walsh. The jury deliberated for about six hours before returning the decision. Walsh is expected to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Walsh killed his wife January 1st, 2023. It happened hours after the couple rang in the new year with their three young kids still in the house. Prosecutors say Walsh dismembered her body and disposed of her remains in dumpsters near their home. Walsh denied killing his wife. New at four, local and state officials are renewing their efforts to crack down on drunk driving.

Today, Raleigh City leaders announced a new driving while impaired unit aimed at curbing crashes involving alcohol or drug use. The RPD DWI unit is funded by a more than $500,000. grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Program. In the meantime, as the holiday season is underway, the annual Booze It and Lose It campaign also kicks off in our state today. The state says authorities and all 100 counties will increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints

trying to catch impaired drivers. The campaign runs through January the 4th to make sure no North Carolina roads and make sure that they are very safe and they're not filled with impaired drivers this holiday season. Now to a traffic alert for drivers in person county, both directions of Hester Store Road. are now closed between the Hester Road and Rollsville Loop Road.

This week, Cruz will be repairing a pipe damage during Tropical Storm Chantal. Detours are up in place along NC 49 and John Allen Road and the closure is expected to be complete by Friday evening. All right, let's go to meteorologist Cruz Medina. He's here with us now. Boy, the temperature this morning, you walk out, the dogs go out, they're like coming right back in, 14 degrees. It was very cold this morning and thankfully it has improved. So it's not warm by any stretch, but, hey, 30 feels better than 14. 14. I think we can all agree on that.

And it's going to keep getting warmer as we go through the next days. But tonight itself is still going to be pretty cold with temperature is dropping down into the 20s. So just bundle up if you're going to be out this evening or early tomorrow morning and then we start to see those tipters rising a bit. So tomorrow afternoon's highs could be near 50 degrees. By Wednesday, we're expecting to be in the 50s and then it keeps getting warmer into the 60s by Thursday. But that will also coincide with some rain. chances that we have in the forecast. Now let me take you outside. It's been a sunny day, so we at least have had the sunshine. If you're standing indirect sunlight, it probably doesn't

feel as bad as it did this morning. And we also have less wind right now. So the air is fairly calm at this time, 35 degrees as we look live from the Pindo Sky Cam in Raleigh. And it's going to be a big night in the Raleigh area. We'll technically carry. We've got NC State taking on Washington tonight for the national championship for men's soccer. Tipures will be in the 20s before the game if you're heading out to this and wrapping up we should still be in the 20s. So dress very, very warm. I don't think you can have too many layers for that kind of cold. But through tonight, one thing that's going to be driving those temperatures back down into the 20s is the fact we're going to have a generally clear sky. So there will be a few fair weather clouds out there. I'd say mostly clear, but we start the day tomorrow.

Most areas seeing sun just a few fair weather clouds in the morning. Those 20s last through about mid morning and then we should see that nice warm up into the afternoon. So here's 3 p.m. We're hitting our highs then. We have lots of sunshine again tomorrow. Tipters go into the 40s. And in some cases, you could be closer to 50 degrees tomorrow, especially down in the sandhills. But even into tomorrow evening, not feeling as cold as this evening with tipgers in the 30s by 10 or 11 p.m. So from start to finish, still below average tomorrow by several degrees. We should be in the 50s for this time of the year. But once again, we'll take the improvements going from highs today only in the mid 30s to. middle to upper 40s tomorrow. That's a pretty good increase in those temperatures and then it just keeps getting warmer as our winds are going to turn out of the south in the days to come. So the culprit for that, we've got high pressure sliding off to our east. This turns those winds out of the south and any time you get a south wind that's coming in from a warmer air mass. So Wednesday, we're well into the 50s by Thursday. It just keeps getting warmer. So we go into the low 60s.

It'll probably feel like spring after the cold that we've been dealing with. And then we get some rain later in the day as a cold front moves in. That's mainly going to be a thing for Thursday night and into early Friday. So Friday could start off damp, but the second half of the day will actually be dry. Now, if you're just joining us and stepping out soon, these are the temperatures you should dress for. It is still in the 30s at this time, so it's going to be a chilly evening and definitely a cold start to tomorrow. But once again, improvements are on the way, and you can see those here in your first alert, ACUweather 7-day forecast. So Thursday, we could see late afternoon or evening showers. the majority of that rain is going to arrive overnight Thursday.

So that pushes out into Friday. Friday we drop back into the 50s and we'll stay there into next weekend. But by the time we get into the back half of the weekend, look at Sunday. We're back in the 60s for the first official day of winter. Amber. It is a cold week ahead. All right, Cruz, thank you. We want to remind you that ABC 11 at Whitley Law Firm are paying tribute to our everyday heroes

who currently serve or who have served in the armed forces. nominate your hero for their chance to be featured right here on eyewitness news. You can find a link to share your submission at the bottom of the homepage at ABC11.com. Next at four, Governor Stein announces new efforts to support homeowners and renters impacted by Hurricane Helene, how eligible property owners can now apply for a new rental rehabilitation program. And the push to get dozens of furry friends into a new home this holiday season, the Clear the Shelter campaign happening now. Time now for some news you can use.

First, more support for Hurricane Helene victims. Today, Governor Signed announced a new disaster recovery program to help rebuild small rental properties in Western North Carolina. Applications are now open for the Small Rental Rehabilitation program that will support owners of one to four rental units per property that will that were damaged by the storm. To qualify, property owners must agree to provide affordable rent for 10 years after construction. Well, today is the final day to adopt a pet for free local animal shelters, taking part in the nationwide, Empty the Shelters event.

That campaign waiving all adoption fees, encouraging more people to open their hearts and their homes for the holidays. Pet adoptions are on a first-come-first-served basis. You must be at least 18 to take home an animal. Be serious about it. You want to keep them for good. Happening today, another chance to become a billionaire by Christmas, the powerful jackpot, the powerball jackpot, now sitting at an estimated $1.1 billion. That is the sixth largest grand prize in-game history.

You can watch for the winning numbers tonight on eyewitness news at 11. And that is news you can use. And we're back to you. All right, Barbara, thanks. And happening now, tickets are on sale for NC State's football game in Brazil. The Wolfpack will take on Virginia for the season opener, August 29th of next year in Rio de Janeiro. Sports revenue firm, athlete advantage, says that both schools were selected based on brand reach, competitive profile, and audience interest.

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster. Also happening tonight, the NC State men's soccer team will compete for a national championship. The Wolfpack taken on Washington and the College Cup finals. After beating St. Louis in the semifinals on Friday, tonight's game starts at 7 o'clock at Wakemed Soccer Park in Kerry. Next year of four, we are learning more about the investigations of the Johnston County man charged with killing four. of his children. A new report from social services shedding light on previous issues in that home. We continue to follow that breaking news in Durham this afternoon. Police, as you can see here, are at Riverside High School. This is after reports of a gun on campus. The school remains on

lockdown. The school was set to dismiss at 4.15 and you can see the line as parents there are waiting to pick their kids up. We're told that in Investigators are searching the campus. We are still working to learn more. We have a crew there on the ground working to gather the latest info. We'll keep you updated. Also new at 4, eyewitness news has obtained reports from the Johnston County Social Services Department as the investigation continues into a man charged with killing four of his children.

Wellington Dickens facing several murder charges. Dewan Hogarth has the new details. The report we received from Johnston County Social Services brought us here to Safe Child, a child abuse of prevention and intervention organization here in Wake County. to get some insight into the findings. The day we learned of Wellington Dickens, the third's apparent confession into murdering his four children,

eyewitness news contacted Johnston County social services to inquire about any involvement the agency may have had with those children. This two page report saying social services would call to this home in Zebelin twice last year, once in April, then again in June. The agency writing quote, these reports were not accepted

as meeting the statutory definitions of abuse, neglect, or dependency and were thus screened out. Child abuse, is hidden all the time. The executive director of child abuse prevention and intervention organization Safe Child says in general that's not uncommon.

There are more children out there suffering than we'll ever know about. The trauma of abuse is kept secret by victims of abuse, by those are perpetrating the abuse, and it's very scary. And proving harm was done is sometimes easier said than done.

Even when there is a concern known, it can be very difficult to get to what's really going on, to get the right help and intervention into place. However, if you suspect the child is at risk, call 911. It is not an individual's responsibility for understanding whether those concerns are valid, how serious those concerns are. but it is our legal responsibility to report concerns of a child's welfare. And Dickens' youngest son is the only surviving child at this point. Johnston County Social Services says that child is in their care and is not commenting any further citing confidentiality. Reporting in Raleigh, Duan Hoggard, Abyss 11, IWitness News.

Duan, thank you. And now to some other headlines in your speed feed this Monday. First, New at 4. The city of Durham is seeking local artists to help transform the numeric Moore Park Aquatic Center. City officials say the project will be one of the largest public art opportunities created by Durham residents. The selected artist or artists, teams will design public art that celebrates community connection and play. The deadline to apply is tonight at 1159. As we count down the Christmas angel tree distributions will begin this week for both

the Salvation Army of Wake and Durham counties, providing toys and items for thousands of local kids. The Salvation Army says the need was greater than ever. this year with nearly 8,000 children registered in Wake County. In Durham, the organization reported last week that nearly a hundred of its angels still need to be adopted. And today is the final day to drop off donations in Durham. Distribution in Durham will be held Wednesday and Thursday of this week. In Wake County, items will be distributed tomorrow through Thursday. And happening now, communities all across the triangle celebrating the start of Hanukkah. Happening tomorrow

downtown Kerry Park menorah lighting on the third night of Hanukkah. That event is from 5.30 to 6.30. There's going to be treats, holiday music, and activities for all the kids. The menorah at Carey Arts Center will be lit each evening throughout the eight days of Hanukkah. And in Raleigh, there will be a menorah lighting tomorrow night in Moore Square. It's from 530 to 630. And Blue Devil fans will have a chance to dine with Duke men's head basketball coach this week. The team is hosting the holiday fast break with Coach John Shire.

The event will include dinner, and it will be held this Wednesday, December 17th. It is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the J.B. Duke Hotel. Tickets are on sale now. And that is your Monday speed feed. Barbara, over to you. All right, Amber, thank you. Well, new it for. We continue to celebrate the life and the legacy of Stuart Scott. The well-known ESPN anchor, UNC Chapel Hill graduate and uncle of our Tamara Scott became known for his catchphrase, boo-ya. And that is now the name of the annual event that helps raise money for scientists doing cancer research for underrepresented groups. Our Kate Rogerson is here with us with more on the conversation around the. It has been 10 years since legendary ESPN broadcaster, Stuart Scott lost his battle to cancer.

His spirit and energy are missed, but his impact, it might be bigger than ever before. Last week, the V Foundation raised $3.1 million at its fifth annual boo-ya event up in New York City. Scott was passionate about advocating for cancer research. And since his passing, his own fund, the Stewart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, has raised nearly $20 million. dollars. His family appeared earlier today on the Tameran Hall show and they shared why Scott felt so compelled to help people fight cancer, especially those in African American in underserved communities. I remember Stewart saying that this cancer fight, a lot of people are in it. He says not everyone has the resources I have. So what he wanted to do was make an impact for

everyone to be able to on their cancer fight, be able to fight as well as possible. So So I think his fund helps that be achieved. And it addresses cancer disparities, which I think is very important. Again, that was early today in the Tamarman Hall showed that amazing family just speaking about his impact and his legacy. Nearly $20 million has been raised for funds

to help those in those communities. So it's amazing what his impact has done and what it continues to do with the V Foundation. Absolutely, and when someone walks the walk, it resonates so much more, you know, especially when you're raising so much money to help other people. What a legacy. He was an intern here at ABC11 too while he was at Chapel Hill. Of course, he went on to break the mold at ESPN.

His family's good friends, obviously, of ABC 11, and they're just doing amazing work for his legacy. Close to our heart here. Of course. And that new documentary of 30 for 30 is on ESPN's app and Disney Plus. So if you want to get a better deep dive into the life of Stuart Scott. Yes. That's where you can watch it. Thank you, Kate. And you can watch the Tamvern Hall Show weekdays here at 2 o'clock on ABC 11.

Next, on eyewitnesses at four new details on an investigation into a planned New Year's Eve terrorist attack in Los Angeles, how the plan was stopped by FBI officials. Plus, frightening moments for a jet blue passenger plane after a near mid-air collision with a U.S. military plane. Federal prosecutors say they thwarted a major bomb attack that was scheduled to happen on New Year's Eve in California. Four people are in custody suspected of planning the attacks, and authorities say they each have tied. to what they call an extremist anti-government group. ABC's Christian Cordero has the details now from Washington. Today, federal prosecutors announced four people are now in custody. Investigators say they were plotting major coordinated bomb attacks across southern California.

These bombs were to blow up at the same time on midnight this New Year's Eve. The plan stated that the IEDs would be complex pipe bombs. The criminal complaint shows the materials the group allegedly used to make improvised explosive devices. in what prosecutors describe as a disrupted terror plot. According to the complaint, the group was testing explosives in the Mojave Desert on Friday to eventually hide in backpacks and place near at least five businesses across Southern California on New Year's Eve. Video surveillance released by investigators shows the suspects overhead soon before they were arrested. It strikes me this is another undercover operation potentially.

In other words, there was at least an agent or an informant in with this group because how would you, know to run aerial surveillance unless you had somebody on the ground telling you that was about to occur. Officials say they also found various anti-government posters in the home of one suspect, Audrey Carroll. Prosecutors alleged she and the other suspects were part of a radical faction of the group Turtle Island Liberation Front, recruiting others to be part of future attacks. Which included plans to a target ice agents and vehicles with pipe bombs. Carol stated that those plans with, quote, take some of them out and scare the rest. Prosecutors announced one charge filed against each of the defendants today with additional

charges expected. Kristian Cuadero, ABC News, Washington. To a mid-air reported collision between a jet blue flight and a U.S. military plane, the flight was taking off from Carousal off the coast of Venezuela, headed to New York's JFK Airport. The pilot described the close call to air traffic control, saying that the Air Force plane was headed into Venezuelan airspace when it got directly into the path of the jet blue flight. We just had traffic paths directly in front of us within five miles of us, maybe two, three miles, but it was an air to air refueler from the United States Air Force, and he was at our altitude.

We had to stop our climb. They're not painting. They don't have their transponder turned on. It's outrageous. We had to stop our climb and have the descent to avoid hitting them. There's a lot we don't know right now, but if, in fact, we had a U.S. Air Force airplane flying through Curacao's airspace without coordination internationally, that is a rory, and that could be a big international incident. U.S. Southern Command tells ABC News, quote, we are aware of the recent reporting regarding U.S. military aircraft operations in the Caribbean and are currently reviewing the matter. Military air crews are highly trained professionals who operate in accordance with the established procedures and applicable. aerospace requirements. Well, as we look ahead to Christmas, the emergence of Black Santa causes a powerful symbol of inclusion. And today we sat down with Santa in our eyewitness news studio. He's sharing more on the importance of representation.

Canada's Wonderland is bringing the holiday magic this season with Winterfest on select nights now through January 3rd. Step into a winter wonderland filled with millions of dazzling lights, festive shows, rides, and holiday treats. Plus, Coca-Cola is back with Canada's kindest community, celebrating acts of kindness nationwide with a chance at 100,000 donation for the winning community and a 2026 holiday caravan stop. Learn more at Canada's Wonderland.com. on ABC 11 eyewitness news. Well, we are just 10 days away from Christmas, and today we're highlighting Santas just like me, a local group spreading joy through representation.

Today, eyewitness news spoke with Warren Keys, also known as Santa Keys, sharing more on the importance of having Santas of all ethnic backgrounds. The owner of the business, the creator of the business, worked with mall Santas for years, and he noticed from time to time people would ask,

Are there any black Santa's around? And that became a business idea for him. The representation is so important. I mean, you can see it in the faces of the children, but like you said, some of the grandmothers just break down in tears when they see Santa because they've never seen one. And apparently they had always had a desire for that.

So then they start crying and then sometimes old Santa starts crying. It's just a good old time, but it is really an emotional high to see that and to realize that I can play a little little part in maybe in boosting the self-esteem of a child. And if you would like to get a picture with Santa, Santa's just like me will be at the top green community center in Raleigh and the Haytie Heritage Center in Durham, December 20th

through 21st. Now today's top trending stories in real news, they say the best gifts are the ones that come from the heart, and that, of course, includes the homemade ones. Nevada Woodworker is using his talent to make toys for kids in need, and get this, he is only 13 years old. Owen Bozick has been a woodworker since he was 10. It takes a labor of love. It's something that really takes creativity and personality to bring something like that to life. 13, you know, that's pretty rare to find somebody who can step in and show artistry, so interest, because 13-year-olds, their interests are all

over the place. Boy, he seems older than his years, doesn't he? Owen is now, the youngest member of the Nevada woodchucks that each year make wooden toys for needy kids locally well now to simple pop-up booth in Texas offering the type of advice that only grandmothers can give the grandma stand is located at a neighborhood farmers market the holiday season is the best time to see them three women who staff the booth provide a warm smile a listening ear and some free advice with no appointments needed the concept was created in 2012 by a man who set up a booth for people to talk to his then 95-year-old grandmother who has since

passed away. And now the project has grown to several cities with even more grandma stands planned. Love to talk to grandma. All right, well, Denny's is rolling out new limited edition shoes and they're called Sticky Kicks. The diner changes, they are the first ever sneakers made with a real Denny's syrup. The high top shoes were designed with syrup colored patent leather, tumbled yellow accents, and the Denny's logo on the heel. The company created the shoes in collaboration with footwear artists and designer, Mesh. Sticky kicks will be available starting on Wednesday, December the 17th at noon. And only a few fans will be able to buy the shoes with first access going to rewards members.

All right, sticky kicks. That's real news. Amber, back to you. All right, Barbara, thanks. New here at 4. Target has opened the doors to its first ever concept store in New York. It's full of designer collaborations, beauty products, and stylish apparel. Target's incoming CEO says it's part of an attempt to bring back its Tarjei glory days. Company officials hope the Soho store will spark a buzz and give Target's bottom line a boost. All right. Let's go to meteorologist Cruz, Medina. Speaking of a boost, we're going to get a boost in temperatures after, boy, really hitting the bottom of the barrel this morning. It is welcomed, at least on my end. I'm a fan of warmth and not cold.

so thankfully we're trending in a warmer direction let's check on the forecast for the next three days and you'll see that nice warm up we go into the 40s tomorrow near 50 degrees by the time we get to Wednesday we're actually in the 50s and then low 60s by the time we get to Thursday but those tipters will come down just a bit as we get some rain chances in here on Thursday night now tonight that's going to be dry and the sky is going to be mainly clear especially for the first half of the night it's going to be another cold night not quite as cold as yesterday but tipters will be in the 20s so just keep that in mind if you're walking the dog down this evening. Dress warm. Don't put the winter jacket away. You're going to need it as you step out the door tomorrow as well. So temperature's in the morning will be in the low 20s. A few spots like Smithfield, Rocky Mountain Wilson, right around 20 degrees exactly. And so a frigid start to the morning for the kiddos heading out to the bus stop. Temperatures will take a while to recover. But eventually through the afternoon, we do make it into those middle to upper 40s with once again, plenty of sunshine. Your first alert, ACUE weather seven day forecast. This shows that by the time we get into Thursday, we're actually pushing into those. Low 60s, overnight rain arrives on Thursday, and that's going to clear out by the time we get into Friday. So Friday could start off damp, by the afternoon we're dry. And then for the weekend, we're colder on Saturday compared to Sunday. Sunday will feature highs back in the lower 60s. We've got Steve and Lauren joining us now with what's coming up at 5. Hello.

Hello, Cruz. We have the latest in the breaking news in Durham. We know Riverside High School is on lockdown as police search for a gun after getting a tip there. We're also in the scene of the breaking news in Wake County, an emergency meeting. town hall gets underway at five. The town manager, Sean Stiegel, we now know, is out of a job, how much the town is paying him as part of this new severance agreement. And we're learning more about a very long and challenging recovery for Cadence Miller, who survived a deadly car crash with other high school students that happened in Wake County. And new at five, the triangle is close

to getting another new Target store. It's part of the Gold Leaf Crossing Shopping Center and Kewkrie Arena. We stop by there to check it out and we'll show you when they are planning to open. Look, join the team. That's right. It says. All right. We'll see you for the news at Just a few minutes, Barbara and Amber. All right, Lauren, Steve, thank you. And as we count down to 2026, the one and only Diana Ross is the headliner for Dick Clark's New Year's Rock and Eve with Ryan Seekrest. Right here on ABC 11, the Music Legends performance will include all of her biggest hits as we count down to 2026. So tune in for the performances as Ryan Seekrest hosts the most watched New Year's Eve celebration.

Dick Clark's New Year's Rock and Eve with Ryan Sechrest airs right here on ABC 11 starting at 8. Hi, I'm Jimmy Kimmel tonight. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is here with Mia Gauth, too. So sit up straight and join us after the late news on Jimmy Kimmel Live.