ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - December 23, 2025

Episode Date: December 23, 2025

Eyewitness News at 4pm - December 23, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of new at 4 o'clock, a Wake County woman held for weeks in ice detainment just arriving in Wake County. Yeah, we are live at RDEU as she reunites with her family just in time for Christmas. And tis the season for an uptick in crime coming up the critical steps you can take to stay safe as you finish your holiday shopping. Plus the troubleshooter working to protect you from scammers, the do's and don'ts as you hit the road. Eyewitness News 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. Right now at 4, a warming trend begins in Central Carolina. This is a live look at Raleigh-Durham and Fayetteville, where temp surged into the 60s today. It's going to be even warmer tomorrow. Thanks for joining us on this Christmas Eve Eve. I'm Amber Ripinta. And I'm Sean Coffey.

And for Barbara Gibbs. We are talking about 70-degree temperatures for some of us tomorrow and even on Christmas Day. Meteorologist Cruz Medina is in the first alert forecast center with the all important holiday forecast. There's also a chance for a sprinkle Christmas morning. Yeah, that'll be early in the morning, so won't really affect your plans. But that chance about 20% in the morning hours clearing out by 9 or 10 a.m. And then we're completely dry by the afternoon. But check out these temperatures like Sean and Amber were just telling you, it's going to be so warm tomorrow around 70 degrees. That's almost 20 degrees above average and then nearly the same as we go into Christmas day.

Plenty of dry time in the mix as well, so if you have outdoor plans either of those days, you should be good to go. For tipters this afternoon, it's much above average already. This was the start of the warm up. Tipters have overachieved just a little bit, reaching the mid-60s in the triangle and point south toward the sand hills. If you have evening plans, maybe you're doing some last minute shopping ahead of the Christmas holiday. It'll be warm for that, so no need for the thick jackets, but maybe bring a light one or a hoodie with you. Tipters will stay in the 50s throughout the duration of this evening. And overnight, we should end up in those upper 40s to around 50 degrees across the region. So it's clear tonight and that sets us up for a sunny and bright starts the day tomorrow.

Here's how your Christmas Eve shakes out. So the morning hours are obviously a bit chilly, but for the afternoon warming up nicely. So if you want, even break out the shorts, RDU reaching a temperature around 70 degrees tomorrow. Some areas in the sandhills could be a few degrees warmer than that and to the north near 70. So as we go into the rest of the week, there's actually some interesting dips in the forecast. We'll talk about those coming up in just a few minutes. Amber. Yeah, the roller coaster continues.

All right, Cruz, see you soon with more thanks. And new here at 4, the Wendell Woman, who was under ICE custody, has officially returned to the triangle. Yeah, Fatima Velasquez-Antonia was detained by immigration officials in November. It's been a weeks-long legal battle, but tonight, Fatima has reunited with her family just in time for Christmas. Michael Perchick joins us at RDU. Michael, it was an emotional reunion. Yeah, that's exactly right. A long travel day after she was released from ice attainment last night, making her way from Georgia back here to the triangle,

just landing here a few moments, where we had a chance to chat with her and her uncle Gene Smith, who traveled to Columbus, Georgia, waiting for those final moments before being released. Of course, Fatima's story gaining a lot of attention after she was taken into custody while working in Raleigh during immigration force, action across the triangle last month. Over the past month, plus she's been held in that facility in Georgia as her legal team worked on her case. Fatima came to the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor from Honduras when she was 14 years old and had work authorization as her asylum case was pending. According to her attorney, she had two traffic violations but no other legal issues. In November, dozens of people rallied in Wendell calling for her release, including

Congresswoman Deborah Ross. We'll hear from Congresswoman Ross later this afternoon. But right now, here's what Fatima had to tell us about being back home just in time to celebrate Christmas with her family. It's so happy. It's so happy come out. I say we're with family. That's, I don't know what you say right now. It's an emotion for me. It's one more really hard to stay right there. But as everything I say is I'm so happy for come back home. Clearly an emotional union overwhelmed by just the show of support over the past month. And of course, today she's looking forward to seeing her family and loved ones once she leave to RDU. We'll hear more from both Fatima, Congresswoman Ross, and her uncle as she is now back in the triangle. I'm Michael Perchick, ABC 11, eyewitness news.

All right, Michael, thank you. Well, during those raids in North Carolina back in November, federal agents arrested more than 250 people around the Charlotte area. during an operation called Charlotte's Web. The immigration crackdown also extended to the triangle with several people being detained as well. And we turn now to Washington, the Department of Justice, releasing another batch of the Epstein files today.

Now the more than 10,000 files include new details on the investigation into potential co-conspirators. ABC's Rina Roy joins us live in New York with more. Rina, this release coming amid growing pressure from lawmakers urging the DOJ to make all those documents public immediately. Yeah, that's right.

Right, Amber and Sean, and in this latest release, there is at least one email mentioning President Trump, but the DOJ is downplaying some of the claims in these files, calling them unfounded and false. The Department of Justice on the defense after releasing more of the Jeffrey Epstein files early Tuesday morning, DOJ officials saying in a statement that some of the latest documents in this batch contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020. election. The DOJ did not specify which documents is referring to. Why pre-deny on behalf of a person who is not formally speaking your client? Why comment on the truth or untruth of specific allegations without identifying which allegations unless you're really representing the man and not the

country? The job of the Department of Justice is to represent the United States of America in court and in legal matters. It is not to represent the personal interests of the president. At least one email referenced Donald Trump sent from a federal prosecutor to unknown recipients. Flagging that flight records from the 90s reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Jeffrey Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported or that we were aware, including during the period we would expect to charge in a Maxwell case. Those documents later became public during Maxwell's 2021 trial.

Trump and Epstein had a decades-long friendship, but Trump says they had a falling out in the early 2000s after he says Epstein stole Mar-Lago employees. This email also released that was sent the day after Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking minors, an unidentified person at the New York FBI field office already in pursuit of potential collaborators writing, When you get a chance, can you give me an update on the status of the 10 co-conspirators? In a July memo, the DOJ stated flatly, there was not enough evidence to warrant prosecuting. any uncharged third parties. And Gellon Maxwell is the only person to ever be charged as an Epstein co-conspirator. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of sex trafficking

minors. Amber, Sean. Rina, Roy, with the latest there from New York. Rina, thank you. New at 4 is holiday travel and last minute shopping ramp up. The Fayetteville Police Department is reminding residents to keep safety top of mind. Penelope Lopez has what you need to know. ahead of the holidays.

Whether you're hitting the road or staying home this holiday, law enforcement is encouraging you to be proactive and to take practical steps to keep safe. Leave your lights on is definitely number one. Have everything lit up in your home. It looks like somebody's home. As you work to check everything off your list this season, the Fayetteville Police Department asks that you also double check safety. Sergeant Alpha Caldwell encourages shoppers to follow these tips.

Park smart, park and well-lit areas. Lock, take, hide. Always lock your vehicle. Take your keys and valuables with you and hide shopping bags. Another thing to keep in mind is the increased foot and vehicle traffic that is anticipated around Cross Creek Mall and major shopping centers throughout the city. If you're going to go shopping, especially, I know Christmas Eve for us last minute shoppers and I'm one of them, take somebody with you. We always say that there's safety in numbers and always be aware of your surroundings. When you get out of your vehicle, look around, see who's parked around you. See if anybody's sitting in their vehicles around you. See who's walking in the parking lot, just looking suspicious.

And if you're planning on traveling this season, the city of Fayetteville has a free home check program where patrol officers may conduct random checks while you're away. Coming up in the next hour, I show you how you can sign up for this program. Reporting in Fayetteville, Penelope Lopez, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Penelope, thanks. And now to some other local headlines this Tuesday in your speed feed first. There's new charges against a Duke University hospital nurse charged with sexually assaulting two patients while they were incapacitated. He's now charged with a third offense.

We first brought you this story last week when Jamil Tugato was first charged. Warrant showed the alleged assaults happened in May and in December. This is the second time in the past month. The hospital employee in the Triangle has been accused of sexually assaulting patients. The other nurse worked at UNC Rec's Hospital in Raleigh. A Maryland man is charged with defrauding away. state county resident out of $93,000. The victim discovered numerous unknown bank accounts and credit cards on their credit report. Further investigation showed the victim also had numerous

companies in their name in the state of Maryland, all without standing bank accounts, credit cards, and loans over an 18-month period. On Monday, the Wake County Sheriff's Office arrested 45-year-old Wisdom Banks fee in Maryland. He is now facing more than a dozen charges, including identity theft and fraud. The Garner Police Department announced. its next deputy chief, Catherine Christian. She has served with the Kerry Police Department for more than 18 years, most recently as a captain and South District Commander. Christian started her career with the NC State University Police Department in 2005,

and she begins her new position with the Garner Police Department on January the 12th. And that is your speed feed. Sean, back to you. Amber, thank you. We knew it for Governor Josh Stein and First Lady Anna Stein in the holiday spirit. The couple sharing this message as they celebrate the season. Happy holidays. The holidays are a special time of year, full of joy, good food, and family. Every year, the holidays are also a reminder of the many ways we're blessed.

We're thankful to call North Carolina home, and I'm so grateful to everyone who makes this state the best place to live, work, and play. The couple is also encouraging everyone to take some time to appreciate the people in your life. They're still ahead, a deadly plane crash now under investigation in Texas. A medical flight carrying a young patient going down, what we know. about survivors of this terrible crash and bracing for flooding the preparations underway right now in Southern California as a powerful storm moves in and it's time for a check of your first alert traffic this is I-40 NC-54 so this is near the carry area you can see there's quite a bit of

cars out there on the roads but not seeing any slowdowns at this time that said as 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. We've got us will be up around 30 miles an hour. Your first alert forecast team. ABC 11. I witness news. Yeah. The U.S. economy got an unexpected boost last quarter. That's according to the latest gross domestic product report just released by the Commerce Department.

The initial reading of third quarter GDP report showed that the U.S. economy accelerated at an inflation-adjusted annualized rate of 4.3%. That's a far faster pace than the 3.8% recorded in the second quarter and the fastest growth rate in two years. Consumer spending and exports were the main contributors to the strong GDP reading, which was delayed due to the government shutdown. And now, for Congresswoman Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit challenging the addition of President Donald Trump's name to the Kennedy Center. Beatty is an Ohio Democrat and an ex-officio trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She says a recent vote by the Center's board of trustees to add Trump's name exceeded the authority given to the board by Congress.

Some experts say, while the board's decision was likely unlawful, it's not clear if an individual would be allowed to challenge that move in court. The Trump administration is suing Washington, D.C. and the challenge to the city's strict gun laws. D.C. is some of the nation's toughest gun laws. The Justice Department's lawsuit challenges two. provisions, heavy restrictions on popular rifles like the AR-15, and the long registration process in which the police department must approve all firearms on a case-by-case basis. President Trump and administration officials say making it easier for D.C. residents to own and carry firearms would lower crime there. The suit is the administration's latest move around public safety in the nation's capital, where it has deployed thousands of National Guard and other federal forces.

New at four, the White House releases President Trump and First Lady Melania's holiday photo here. The image shows the president dressed in a tuxedo and Melania in a black formal dress. The photo was taken December the 7th at the cross hall of the White House surrounded by Christmas decorations. And now at four, we turn to the plane crash that killed at least five people in Texas, a medical plane flying a pediatric patient going down off the Texas coast, leaving five people dead. Two people on board are alive. One is still missing. Dramatic video captures the frantic search for survivors after that Mexican Navy medical plane went down in the water near Galveston. The Coast Guard says eight people were on board the beachcraft aircraft when it went down Monday afternoon in dense fog.

Mexican officials say the aircraft was transporting a pediatric burn patient to Shriners in Galveston. A tragedy in the video game community, Call of Duty co-creator Vince Ampella died in a single car accident near Los Angeles last weekend. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The California Highway Patrol says Zampella was driving his Ferrari and that a passenger also died. Zampella co-founded video game company Infinity Ward in 2002. It released four Call of Duty games under his leadership. Zampella was 55 years old. Happening now here at 4 o'clock communities up and down the West Coast are bracing for really powerful storms this Christmas week.

Evacuations are planned in Southern California due to the potential for more than a month's worth of rain. and powerful winds, and these follow a deadly storm over the weekend that already brought intense flooding to the northern part of the state. Starting early Wednesday morning, the area is expected to receive torrential rain that will continue through the night. A rare level four of four risk of flooding rain is in place, potentially impacting millions. According to the weather prediction center preparations are underway where January's deadly L.A. wildfire scorched the earth there, making it less able to absorb water and more prone to debris. and mud flows. They really need a break. They've had some seriously extreme weather. No kidding. Yeah.

We're around here, though. We are expecting some crazy temperatures for Christmas. How about it? It's pretty warm out there. I was overdressed in a sweater, but I wanted to wear Red Cruz. I knew it was going to be warm, too. Yeah, it's definitely warm outside, and it's going to keep getting warmer as we go into the next two days. So as we look ahead, highs will be in the middle to upper 60s the next two days, but tomorrow there will be a few communities that make it into the low 70s. definitely not feeling like the season that we're in. By Friday, we get a sneaky backdoor cold front is what we call it. That's going to push our tipters down into the 50s for highs briefly and then we warm up again this weekend, but an even bigger cooldown is on the way as we go into next week. So we go up just to come down. But here in the near term, we've

at least got high pressure keeping our forecast relatively quiet. That's at least going to give us dry weather tomorrow. And then as we go into Thursday, nothing more than just an early morning shower. By the time we get into Friday, here is that front. And watch what this is going to do to those tipgers. We will see low 50s and even some upper 40s are here locally. But as you work your way to the west, maybe a little bit warmer out to the mountains. Tipters there should hop out in the low 60s. A look outside at RDU. It's been a bit gusty this afternoon. Obviously a pretty busy travel day. Tipgers are at 64 in the city of Oaks. 64 in Roxborough. Slightly cooler as you work away to the south, 61 in Goldsboro and 64 in Fayetteville. But nonetheless, it is warmer than

it has been recently. Tipters are going to stay fairly mild for this time of the year through this evening. So if you have plans to step out for a walk, maybe you're taking your dog out for a walk, should be a nice evening for any outdoor plans. Here is first alert predictors showing through tonight. The skies will stay clear. So even with a clear sky, tipters are not going to cool down as much as we normally would. We wax to wake up to lows in the upper 40s to around 50 degrees. Now by the afternoon, we see the sun sticking around. Tipters are going to turn very warm. Once again, upper 60s to around 70 degrees. And then into Thursday, as a brief disturbance starts to move in, that's where we could start today with just a few sprinkles around. That'll favor areas west

of the triangle and northeast of the triangle. So that's quick hitting. And then by the afternoon, we're back to a decent amount of sun and tipters will be warm once again. So as you plan ahead for the next two days, if you have outdoor plans, definitely keep them. Tomorrow, you could dress down if you want. I mean, even shorts, you could get away with that, with tipgers reaching 70 degrees for that hide tomorrow. Then as we go into Christmas Day itself, it'll still be warm, a few degrees cooler than what we see tomorrow. But nonetheless, much above average for this time of the year, tipters will range from 15 to 20 degrees above average over the next two days and then get ready for that big Arctic chill. as we go into early next week.

So Friday, a little taste of some cooler weather that's brief lived. Tipters will bounce back to around 70 this weekend and then into the 40s as we go into the back half of the weekend and into early next week. Sean. All right, Cruz, thank you. The holiday travel rush is in full swing right now. Coming up here at 4 o'clock, what you need to know before hitting the roads and the friendly skies plus the city of Raleigh getting set to implement its new noise ordinance.

We're running through the new rules and the businesses. impact and time is running out for last minute shoppers coming up a look at the extended mall hours that being offered before closing early on christmas eve new it for the north carolina governor's highway safety program now accepting grant applications for projects aimed at improving traffic safety across the state the application window opens january first it runs through january 30th with funding designated for projects scheduled during the twenty seven federal fiscal year. The grants support community-based initiatives that align with North Carolina's highway safety priorities, including efforts to prevent impaired, distracted and aggressive driving, promote occupant

protection and speed reduction, and also improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users. Last year, last federal fiscal year, that is, GHSP awarded more than $22 million in grants aimed at reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on North Carolina roads. All right, now time for some news you can use. The city of Raleigh is just over a week away from its new noise ordinance going into effect. The new rules only apply to amplified sound coming from commercial businesses like bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Under the new rules, decibel levels will vary based on time of day, day of the week, and location. Glenwood South's designation as a hospitality district will allow for higher decibel limits than other parts of the city.

Time is running out to finish your holiday shopping. Local malls are extending their hours to help out the. those shoppers. The streets at South Point Mall in Durham opens at 10 in the morning and closes at 9 tonight. On Christmas Eve tomorrow, South Point will be open for last minute shoppers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over in Raleigh, Crabtree Valley Mall is open until 10 tonight. Christmas Eve, the mall will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. And in Fayetteville, Cross Creek Mall is is open until 9 to 9.m. to 5 p.m. Mercedes-Benz is reaching a nearly $150 million settlement over diesel emissions violations, the German automaker settling with dozens of

states, including North Carolina, after being accused of lying about the pollution levels at its diesel vehicles emitted. Under the terms of that settlement, Mercedes will pay nearly $150 million and offer $2,000 to owners who had to get their cars repaired. That's news you can use. Amber, back to you. All right, Sean, thanks. Another Christmas movie being filmed at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Hallmark announcing Jonathan Frakes will reprise his role from a Biltmore Christmas, which was filmed in 2023. Production starts in January. An addition to Biltmore Estate, filming will also take place at Asheville's Fine Arts Theater,

Pax Tavern, and downtown Asheville. The time-traveling love story sequel is anticipated to premiere in 2026 during Hallmark Channel's 17th annual countdown to Christmas programming event. And new here at 4, the I-Team troubleshooter, making sure that scammers don't ruin your Christmas. Coming up, Diane, runs down the scams. to watch out for including why you shouldn't plug your USB cord into those public charging stations you see at airports and other places and also knew it for something sweet to eat the local new bakery cooking up pan dolce just in time for christmas all right well following breaking news from delaware at least one state trooper is dead following an active shooter situation

at a dm v location in wilmington here's some video from the the scene there. Details still limited, but Delaware Governor Matt Meyer says the alleged shooter is also dead. Right now, police are asking residents to avoid that area. We'll provide updates as we receive them here. We're also following breaking news from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. An explosion and fire have been reported at a nursing home. It happened around 2.15 in the afternoon at the Silver Lake nursing home there. According to our sister station WPVI in Philadelphia, there are multiple reports of people trapped. And the public's being asked to avoid this area due to the large emergency presence responding with police calling this, very sadly, a mass casualty incident.

And we'll monitor that situation from Bucks County. Right now here at 4, we are near the final push to get to holiday destinations. This is a live look at the traffic along I-40, AAA predicting that traffic is expected to be busiest between 1 and 7 o'clock today. So the agency says it's best to leave either early or late in the day. Fortunately, minimal traffic is expected on the roads on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 3.7 million North Carolinians are expected to travel this holiday season. If you are driving, gas prices are cheaper compared to last year. The average cost in North Carolina is $2.64 this year.

That is about 20 cents down from last year. And here's a live look at RDEU. The airport, along with dozens of others across the country, is ready for an onslaught of travelers. The Transportation Security Administration says it is fully staffed and ready to screen. more than 44 million expected travelers during the holiday period that began Friday and runs through January 4th. That would be a record if those projections hold up. Passengers arriving at the airport will see some changes from a year ago. TSA now requiring travelers to have a real ID.

The agency also has a new pre-check line for members of the military and other uniformed service members. And as you hit the road, whether you are flying or driving troubleshooter Diane Wilson has these tips to protect yourself from scammers. While you will find a lot of holiday joy during your travels the next few weeks, beware of the Grinches. The TSA issued an alert to travelers about the risk of what's known as juice jacking at USB ports found at airports and other public spaces. This is where hackers can install malware at public charging stations in order to steal your personal information. Instead, it's advised you bring your own portable battery packs to charge your devices. Another threat this holiday, public Wi-Fi's. You really encourage people to not use those free Wi-Fi sites, or if you do, do not do anything with personal information, banking, anything like that.

If you have to use free Wi-Fi, just keep it real surface-level. Alyssa Parker with the Better Business Bureau says hackers can set up fake, unsecured networks to steal your data, leading to fraud. To protect yourself while traveling, use your phone's hotspot or wait for secure networks. And if your holiday travels run into roadblocks like delayed or canceled flights or a snag in your rental car reservation. Don't panic. People are quick to just Google a solution, but it's really important to make sure that you know the appropriate contact to reach. So whether you're, you know, taking an airline already know that customer service number. So you can reach them directly as opposed to going to a third party site that, you know, could just lead to, you know, disaster down the road if something were to go wrong. Instead, go directly to the company's app or website and chat with their customer service or get the direct number for help. Also watch out for fake can't. emails or texts that may ask you to call a number to rebook for a fee. And if you are traveling, while many of us love to share the adventures on social media,

be careful about oversharing as depending on your privacy settings. You could be letting a thief know you are not at home. So the BBB suggests you hold off on posting your vacation until you get back. I'm Troublethooter Diane Wilson. ABC 11, eyewitness news. Diane, thanks. We're following breaking news unfolding in Durham at this hour. Our police are on the scene of reports of shots fired.

Our chopper is flying over the scene there. This investigation is unfolding on University Drive in Durham. That is right behind the South Square Corporate Square there and the shopping center off of 15501 just to give you a landmark. And right now it's not clear if anyone was shot in this or if there's been any arrests. You can see that there's an ambulance on scene. We of course have reached out to Durham police and are trying to get more information and we'll bring you more just as soon as we get it. All right, ABC 11 Together is highlighting good deeds in the community. The Durham Rescue Mission hosting their annual Christmas dinner today.

Our Jimmy's Price was there for the big event aimed at making sure that every child has a Merry Christmas. The community day and toy drive, really a labor of love. A lot of work to make this day happen. Kids leaving here with electronics, bikes, games, and of course, big smiles. Thanks to all the donations and the hard work of folks right here in the community. Just my heart's overflowing right now. Very Christmas. Ernie Mills, Jr. is in the holiday spirit.

The vice president of the Durham Rescue Mission reminding everyone that this is the season of giving. And the Durham Rescue Mission giving back in a big way. It warms my heart knowing that people think of us as a place to come where if I need help, I can go there. The tires for Christmas and a happy new year. For 48 years, the Durham Rescue Mission has hosted a community Christmas dinner and toy giveaway for families who may need a little help. People are in need. They're coming out, and we're going to do everything we can to help meet that need. You're welcome. The community dinner and toy drive draws hundreds of people from the community.

It's an all-hands-on-deck operation that requires community donations and tons of volunteers. Many of those volunteers were high school students like London Stern. It actually means a lot to me because it's giving back to the community and to those who don't have what I have. And yeah, it just makes me feel good giving back. We support our community, so it means a whole lot to us to give back. Even though they don't break and vacation, I'm appreciative that they took their time out to come out today. The big day also takes weeks of planning and days of preparation, work that continued this morning. Volunteers showed up in the cold and rain to prepare hundreds of turkeys, hams, and side dishes.

They also sorted and packed hundreds of toys. We didn't have to buy anything to come here. It just literally takes time. So take it out time out of our day and putting our life on pause to come out and celebrate and support someone else. It means a lot to us. Giving their time to help a family have a brighter Christmas. We're just here doing what we've been told to do. We wish your Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Families will also leave with groceries and clothes, of course, with big smile. We're here in Durham. Jimmy's Price, ABC 11, eyewitness news. The Durham rescue mission telling us the Christmas party provided more than 5,100 toys for boys and girls in the triangle. 922 bags of groceries were given out and over 11,000 articles of clothing. In total, more than 3,200 people attended the event. A Christmas may be two days away, but for many Latinos and Hispanic people in the triangle, the real celebration happens tomorrow on Christmas Eve, known as Noce Buena. In the days leading up to the festivities, families began preparing for the big meal.

And one staple on the dinner table is Pondulce or sweetbread. The tradition of Pondulsi originates from Mexico, and there are many varieties with the most popular being the concha name for its seashell-like design. And it features a soft brioche-like base topped with different colors. Why Pondulsi is enjoyed year-round, it does become especially popular during the holidays. Local Mexican-owned bakeries and Fayetteville are busy meeting the demand. Sandra Torres says it's one of her top sellers. It's a Mexican pastry that each single one has a different taste, different flavor. Some of them like conchas are the most popular and the piggy ones.

Those are the top sellers. Everybody's looking for conchas. We have chocolate conchas, strawberry vanilla conchas and all of them have their special flavor. While Pan Dulce is really popular now, it is enjoyed year round. So don't we love all the sweets this time of year? No calories during the holidays. Not at all. Next year for a sweet surprise caught on camera.

Wait until you see these two sisters' reaction after opening this package to find a forever friend inside. These never get old. I know so cute. And in your health check, the innovative cancer treatment that proved to be a miracle for one six-year-old girl. And as we go to break, we have a live look at the Raleigh Skyline, a beautiful. beautiful sky there. Nice blue sky's warming trend is beginning crews. It could be short-sleeved weather for Christmas Day. I would say so. Yeah, tipchers will be near 70 degrees, but all good things come to an end, and that'll be the case for the warmth this weekend. As an Arctic front

presses in, we'll talk about what that does to our tipter's coming up in just a few minutes. A woman who served as the nation's oldest park ranger died over the weekend at the age of 104. family says she passed away peacefully on Sunday surrounded by family. Soskin joined the National Park Service at the age of 85. She served at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Homefront National Historical Park in Richmond, California. She retired when she turned 100 in 2022. And at the time, the agency said she was the oldest living ranger. Soskin was married twice and she has survived by a son, two daughters, five grandkids, and a great grandchild. And in today's health check, this holiday season is a little bit sweeter for a six-year-old girl who spent the holidays last year in isolation following treatment for B-celli acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The six-year-old Brinley was diagnosed with a rare mutation of the disease that comes with a prognosis that no parent wants to hear. She started chemotherapy, which was not working. That's when a doctor, a pediatric oncologist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, recommended a new form of cancer treatment. T cell therapy. Roswell Park is a leader in the treatment and development of CAR T cell therapy. After about one week of treatment, the old brain was back. I explained to them that CAR T's were her cells, but now armed to go after the leukemia cells. Roswell Park is a leader in the treatment and the development of CART cell therapy.

After about one week of treatment, the old brain was back. And we have that amazing songs like a church and Christmas is you. And we have that amazing performance coming up. The middle school students going viral for what you just heard there. Also ahead and end of an era coming up at four, look at the biggest moments as the final two episodes of Taylor Swift's docu-series drop. New at four as we count down to Christmas. New research reveals that listening to music can boost your folks.

focus and productivity, but Spotify has just released the most popular Christmas songs that are actually most likely to derail workers' concentration. Topping that list as the biggest productivity killer is Ariana Grande's last Christmas, followed by Meliqaliki Makka by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters. Merry Christmas Everyone by Shaken Stevens is third, followed by It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams and then another Ariana Grande song, Santa Tell Me, rounding out the top five there. Overnight Taylor Swift released the emotional final two episodes of her docu-series, the end of an era, celebrating the showgirl's dedication to her family, her craft, and of course her fans. ABC's Witt Johnson has more. It's the end of the end of an era. Taylor Swift turning the page on one of the most pivotal chapters of her career,

her record-breaking eras tour, dropping two final episodes of her docu-series overnight. Fans overwhelmed. I'm not ready to close the chapter on our era's era. Is this how everyone's been feeling? Swift emotional reflecting on the moment. I went to the very end of this tour, so you doing that, you have no idea how much it means to me and to my... The episodes taking fans behind the scenes of those final shows,

revealing personal moments backstage. Swift's seen reading a letter from her now fiancione. Frances Travis Kelsey. So many unbelievable memories in this tour, but my favorite one is seeing you in concert for the first time being memorized, mesmerized, and swept off my feet by a woman who doesn't even know me. I selfishly say thank you for creating this legendary tour and to Robert for making you stop through Kansas City, Missouri.

That night, too, in KC. was the beginning of me meeting the love of my life. Travis' presence looming large, even when he couldn't be there. Touchdown! Yes! Swift's family also playing a crucial role. Taylor calling the tour a celebration of them, grateful they could witness it all. The fact that Mom did get to see it, and like, Travis got to see it, and Dad got to see it. And like, I just felt so lucky, and that's what it was, like, cracked me.

It cracked me wide open. And while she was putting on a show for 10 million fans, she also revealed how she put together a secret album, The Life of a Showgirl. I was figuring things out, and it felt like so romantic and magical and passionate, and I wanted to encapsulate that feeling on this album. Now, after 149 shows in 21 countries, Taylor admitting she's looking forward to slowing down and discovering her next era. You have to just take life, you know, one era at a time, see what happens.

This tour ended around this time last year, but things haven't exactly slowed down for Taylor. Back in May, she bought back the rights of her music and got engaged to NFL star Travis Kelsey, then released her new album, The Life of a Showgirl this fall. All episodes of Taylor Swift's end-of-aneradoccus series and Taylor's final concert film are streaming on Disney Plus. Now to today's top trending stories in real news. First, sweet puppy surprise in South Carolina, Christmas coming early for two young sisters, After their parents surprised them with that cute four-legged friend, the special moment captured here. Would you like to open? It's an early Christmas process.

Oh my God! So sweet, and you can see the surprise and delight on the girl's faces as they scooped up their six-week-old puppy during that reveal. Oh, M.G. Cameron Handel said the family decided on this surprise after the girls had been asking for a new puppy for months following the loss of their previous dog. That's a special Christmas. In Arizona, three middle schoolers going viral for their performance of a favorite Christmas song, Carol of the Bells. Take a listen. Oh, color, sweet silver bells all seem to say throw us away.

Christmas is here bringing a cheer to young and all. These three young voices at Great Hearts Academy, Cicero Prep, and Scottsdale. stunned their choir director and the audience, but their jaw-dropping performance didn't stay inside the school. It was caught on camera and quickly the students went TikTok famous. Overnight, it hit like one million views. It's kind of shocking. The now viral clip came from the school's semi-annual fine arts night and almost didn't happen at all because Carol of the Bells was not going to be part of the original performance for that night. But the choir director said after seeing the eagerness from the trio, he decided to give them the opportunity to shine.

and they did. The video clip shared by one of the singer's moms like a chick-in. The video clip shared by one of the singer's moms has racked up more than two million views on TikTok. That's great. And that's real news. Sean, back to you. All right, Amber, thank you. As we wind down the year, ABC News is looking back at the biggest breakout stars, heroes and newsmakers that had everyone talking.

Join Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts for the year end special, the year 2025. That air is Monday, December 29th at 8 p.m. Right here on ABC 11, and it streams the next day on Disney Plus and Hulu. And then join us next Wednesday night as we ring in the new year. You can tune in for Dick Clark's New Year's Rock and Eve with Ryan Seacrest, the fun starting at 8, New Year's Eve, right here on ABC 11. All right, guys, it's going to be a kind of warm Christmas. I was making my friends jealous, went out and hit some golf balls today.

It's kind of great. They're all freezing up north, you know? Yeah, it's great, and we're going to keep that going. So outdoor plans tomorrow and Christmas Day should be good to go and then soak that in because you were just talking about New Year's Eve. It's going to be much colder then. So you've got to soak up the warmth while you can. So let's take a look at the next three days. We've got a little bit of everything in this forecast.

Very warm for tomorrow and Christmas Day cooling down briefly on Friday just to warm up again as we go into this weekend. So it's obviously going to be a bit of a roller coaster. It turns even colder as we go into next week. But for right now, where it's in the low to mid-60s outside, this is almost like a spring day. So I encourage you to take advantage of the nice evening that we have ahead of us. You are heading out to the Canes game. You've got temperatures in the 50s, heading into Lenovo and leaving Lenovo tonight. And then later tonight, we will drop down into the upper 40s.

That's brief as we start out tomorrow morning. Tipters are going to warm up very quickly as we go throughout the day. So by the afternoon tomorrow, topping out around 70 degrees. Tipters, even for the evening tomorrow, will be in the 60s. So once again, feeling like spring. And in the sand hills, some areas down there could actually hit the mid-70s. So Fayetteville, 75 for Christmas Eve. It is definitely going to be a warm one here in Central North Carolina.

Your first alert, acuweather seven-day forecast shows a warm weekend. And then those tipters come crashing down. So by the time we get into early next week, check that out. Monday, we can start with the shower chance tipters in the upper 40s, barely hitting 40 by the time we go into Tuesday. Sean. All right, Bruce, thank you. A mama bear jumps into action to protect her home. Coming up here, see how she ran off a group of burglars.