ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - February 25, 2026

Episode Date: February 25, 2026

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Coming up on IWitness News at four, scary moments play out at two Wake County schools after students allegedly bring weapons to the campuses forcing lockdowns. That includes Raleigh's Milbroke High School, what we know so far about the teen charged with bringing a loaded gun to the school. And a Wake County teen charged with killing a 12-year-old and hurting another child, what the DA's office is now saying about this troubling case. Plus, we're learning more about a possible price hike at UNC System Schools, what the tuition increases could mean for students. eyewitness News at 4 starts now. Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, keeping you connected to your community and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11I Witness News. Right now for frightening moments at two Wake County schools today, Milberg High School in Raleigh and East Garner Elementary School forced into lockdowns after officials say students brought weapons onto the campuses.

Thank you for joining us for your news at four. I'm Barbara Gibbs. And I'm Amber repented that first incident playing out at Millbrook Magnet High School in Raleigh. School leaders say a student was taken into custody found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Duwant Hogan is joining us live at the school this afternoon where that lockdown has now been lifted. So, Duwam, what can you tell us about now this ongoing investigation? Yeah, Amber, right now, activity at the school has since died down. They've already released classes for the day. just a couple of cars here on campus right now,

but we're still working to learn more information as to how this all played out after one student was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm leaving students, staff, and parents on edge earlier today. A Code Red lockdown at Raleigh's Millbrook High School forcing students and parents into a state of high alert. We've been in sculpture and my phone's blown up

and then the Code Red goes off and then I'm like, what's going on? And all my friends are like, some kid has brought a gun. I started getting a lot of texts for my friends saying that they were in a code red lockdown drill, except they said that the announcement never said that it was a drill. The lockdown coming moments after a report of a student on campus with a firearm, prompting students and staff to go on lockdown, not allowing anyone on or off campus until police give the all clear.

My parents were saying I need to just go home. I need to leave. I need to get out of that situation. But there was no way that I could sit at home while my friends were possibly in danger. Parents and students both reacting to the news as it was coming in. It's just like really scary and like worrisome because it's like inside the school, like where everybody's learning. I'm just struck by the fact that this is our reality. You know, I have to go and try to figure out, you know, how safe is it really to send my daughters to school.

And Riley, police sending a brief update just a short moment ago saying the student arrested was 18-year-old Malcolm McIntyre. I've been charged with weapon on educational property, which is a felony. misdemeanor charges of carrying a concealed weapon, disorderly conduct on educational property, and resisting public officer. The school also saying that it must now follow district protocol, which means McIntyre will face a mandatory 365-day suspension from Milwaukee High School here behind me. Now coming up for you tonight on Iwood's News at 6, we're going to take a look at the recently released suspension rates for Wake County Schools. It's going to be all new and ahead for you on our news at 6. For now we're live in Raleigh. Dwan Hoggard.

I-11, I-Witness News. Terrifying day at that school and also another in Wake County. Duane, thank you for that report. Also, an investigation still underway at East Garner Elementary School. It was also placed on lockdown today after officials say a student tried to bring a blade into the school. Garner police said happened during a parent meeting with administrators this morning. Police say the student left the front office of the school, went to a car, and came back with a bladed weapon. The school immediately went on lockdown, preventing the school.

student from re-entering the school. The parent left with the student from the school. No students or staff members are physically hurt. The incident remains, however, under investigation. Well, let's turn now to first alert weather. Let's take a live look at downtown Raleigh on this Wednesday afternoon. Skies are kind of clear, but we could see some rain and rumbles of thunder by tomorrow. Yeah, we do need the rain. Chief Peter Aldous Don Chuaniker joins us now with more on the chance of rain that's in the forecast. Hey, Don. And good evening to you. We're taking a live look at our first alert Doppler net tonight. not seeing any showers out there right now. And if you've got plans this evening, you'll be just fine. It's after midnight. We expect that rain to arrive. Live look on our North Hills camera, 56,

mostly cloudy, south-southwestens to 18. We've seen some Gus into the 20s. It's windy out there. We'll talk about that in a moment. 55 right now in Lewisburg, 56, Raleigh, Durham, 57, Carborough, 60s from Lillington to Sanford, 62 down in Fayetteville and wind gusts, 20 plus miles an hour. Fayetteville is just checking in with a 32 mile an hour wind gusts in the past 15 minutes. southern pines 30 miles an hour. A look at your evening ahead. Those temperatures will stay in the 50s all the way through 10 o'clock tonight. Nice night to go for a walk and get it done tonight because tomorrow you're going to be fighting the showers. And we'll talk more about those rain chances in your first alert seven-day forecast coming up for you just a bit. Amber. All right,

Don, see you soon with more. Thank you. And new at 4 now, eyewitness news working to learn more about a 16-year-old charged in a deadly attack that left a 12-year-old girl dead and a nine-year-old boy seriously injured. It happened Monday night. on Tobacco Barn Road near Fukuweaverina. Deputies arrested 16-year-old Jackson Borrello for the crime. In a letter to families, Fuguevary in a middle school identifying the 12-year-old victim as Clara Borrello. She and the nine-year-old victim both lived in the home

where that attack took place. Elena Athens is joining us now live from the Way County Courthouse. So Elena, the teen supposed to appear there today, but then there was a change in plans, correct? Yeah, a deputy told us instead that arraignment took place inside a hospital. I did speak with the Wake County District Attorney, and she gave some explanation why that occurred off-site from the Wake County Courthouse.

We did speak one-on-one about this case. Police say 16-year-old Jackson Borillo killed a 12-year-old, and according to his arrest warrant, assaulted a 9-year-old with a knife and hammer. The young victim is at the hospital right now fighting for their life. We know that the suspect and one of the victims live in the same house and share the same last name, but law enforcement is not saying if they are, siblings. This message went out to staff and families at Fukuave Arena Middle School about

Clara Borrello's passing. The principal said our condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to her family and friends. We will continue to have staff available at the school to assist our students in coping with this loss. Counselors are additionally being made available at Willow Spring High School, where Borrello is a 10th grader. He is charged as an adult on a murder and assault charge. Way County District Attorney Lauren Friedman would not say why the arraignment was held outside of the courthouse. We're not at liberty to discuss publicly. There are times, though, when, you know, because somebody has to be hospitalized or for other

reasons, an individual cannot actually come to court for first appearance. In those situations, the law requires that we provide a first appearance, and that will be done, you know, at a location with a judge and attorneys present. So Friedman says this case is concerning. What she's saying about violent crimes among young people? We'll have that coming up all new at 5 o'clock. For now we're live in Raleigh. Elena, ABC 11, I witnessed.

Yeah, it's certainly a troubling case. Indeed, Elena, see you in an hour with more. Thank you. In Morrisville, the community is coming together after a devastating fire on Monday night, displacing more than 70 people. From fundraisers to donation drives, there are plenty of ways that community members

are stepping up to help those in need. John Dowding is live outside the apartment complex in Morrisville. John, the community is stepping up in a big way. Good afternoon to you. Good afternoon to you Barbara and you're seeing it all over social media as well. A bunch of people coming on social media asking what can we do to help and where can we drop off some donations. And tonight we're learning about a donation drive happening just down the road here from the complex. The community's been like really nice to us and we would like to give back to a community that helped us.

An outpouring of support in Morrisville, two days after a fire leaves more than 70 people without a home. The fire Monday night at the Camden Westwood Apartments started on the balcony outside of a first floor apartment. First responders treated six people for injuries, but now their neighbors are helping them pick up the pieces after running out of their homes to escape the smoke and flames. Carolina's Asian Alliance started a donation collection at Akasha Tree Asian cuisine, less than a mile from the apartment complex. Organizers say they're looking to collect whatever they can. The canned food water, because I think that the people mostly, we also see the. surprise list also some children's clothes, toys, toilet papers. Again, they're just looking to collect anything that anyone can donate to help those impacted by the fire here.

Now I did speak with the fire officials earlier today and they're telling me about when we might learn more details about what started the fire. And also we spoke with one local business who said they felt they needed to help to step in and help those impacted by the fire because they used to call this complex home. All of those details coming up right here at 5. Live here in Morrisville. I'm John Dowding. ABC 11, my witness news. Good to hear all those people want to help, and yes, we'll be very interested to find out what started this major fire. John, thank you. Now to some other local headlines in your speed feed this hour. First, we are learning more about a shooting investigation in Durham County. It happened yesterday afternoon. Investigator said the victims drove to the sheriff's office on Wake Forest Highway. The passenger and driver were both shot.

The sheriff's office says that it was a domestic dispute between the man and woman. Both people are still in the hospital recovering and they are expected to be okay. A child was also in the car at the time but was not hurt. That child was placed into DSS custody. Durham police making an arrest after a late night shooting. A woman was found shot and seriously injured last night on Danube Lane. The victim now hospitalized in DPD announcing today they do have a person in custody. Investigators are asking anyone with information on the case to call DPD.

Traffic on I-40 was backed up today after a tree fell onto the interstate. This is I-40 at Aviation Parkway Eastbound. Video here shows crews working to move that tree and get traffic flowing again. There's no word on any injuries. Flu deaths in North Carolina continue to climb. State health officials releasing new numbers today that show nine new flu-related deaths since last week. The death toll is now up to 288. That includes eight child deaths.

However, it is important to note that we are past the peak of the season and that both ER visits and deaths are significantly lower than they were a few weeks ago. Flu season runs through May. So it's come here 4 o'clock. We have new details in the lawsuit against NC State after people claim to have gotten sick after being exposed to toxic chemicals at Po Hall. Why the University is now asking for the case to be moved out of the courtroom? Plus new sanctions on Iran and its military what the move could mean for the U.S. military presence in that country.

Yeah, we're taking a live look at I-40, Aven Ferry Road, and it is slow going there, especially in the left lanes. So that's a trouble spot for you. As we had to break, carry your traffic hot spots brought to you by the First Alert weather team. 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 11I witness news. Where are my gloves? Come on, heat. Any day now? Winter is hard, but your groceries 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. Eyewitness News. We are Local News weeknights 4 to 630 and 11. Right now and 4, the UNC System Board of Governors is set to hold its final vote on Thursday

to approve tuition increases for in-state undergraduate students. The increase, which differs by each campus, is capped at 3%. Michael Perchick joins us live from UNC Chapel Hill. Michael, good afternoon. You sat down with the UNC System President. What did he have to offer today?

Yeah, Barbara, he highlighted, This would be the first tuition rate increase for resident students in nine years, adding each respective school within the UNC system gives their own proposals. It's another busy day here on campus as students shuffle between classes for the next generation of Tar Heels. What they pay to attend could soon be higher. And nobody likes to raise tuition, but a small increase that reflects inflationary pressures after nine years of no increases, is understandable within that context. At UNC Chapel Hill, the tuition I could mean about $211 a year more for resident students.

Neighboring schools also planning increases, $106 at NCA&T, $112 at NC Central, and $196 at NC State. But half the UNC system schools are also instituting moderate increases to mandatory fees, that the total amount cannot exceed 3%. UNC system President Peter Hahn says even with the higher rates, system schools remain a good value. Our sense after surveying each university's peers that we are in the lowest quadrant vis-a-vis our peers. If ultimately approved, the increase would go into effect starting the fall semester, but would not affect current students who graduate within four years, results of a tuition freeze. And I think that that's a concern on campus.

This is going to start a trend of making the university an affordable for. for in-state students. I don't think that's going to happen. The story is markedly different for out-of-state students attending UNC system schools coming up at five. The tuition hikes they could be seeing from Chapel Hill on Michael Perchick. ABC 11 eyewitness news. All right. We'll look forward to that next report. Michael, thank you. Right now at four, NC State University asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by former students, faculty, and staff. That lawsuit claims that the plaintiffs were exposed to toxic chemicals at Poe Hall.

And they accuse the University of ignoring the warning signs of the contamination. Ten women and one man claimed to have gotten breast cancer while working or studying at Poe Hall on campus on NC State. In a new court filing, NC State says that the claim should be heard through workers' compensation or the state tort claims not in superior court. NC State asking the court to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled in that court. In your voice, your vote, the State Board of Elections meeting today in downtown Raleigh ahead of next week's primary election. The board today reviewing a new legal settlement that will keep 225,000 people on the state's voter rolls. Republicans drop their effort to purge the voters with missing identification in exchange for the State Board of Elections to continue its registration repair program. And as in-person early voting wraps up, here's some important dates if you want to cast a ballot early.

You have until 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon and Election Day for the primary. We'll be coming up next Tuesday, March 3rd. All absentee ballots need to be returned by 7.30 in the evening on Election Day. As we move closer to the March primary, reaction continues after President Trump's State of the Union address last night. The President highlighting key topics, including telling the economy, the illegal immigration crackdown, and tensions with Iran. where the president asked both Democrats and Republicans in the chamber to stand during last night's speech if they agree with his statement that American citizens should be protected first over undocumented immigrants. Republicans stood and Democrats stay seated.

Look, nobody stands up. These people are crazy. I'm telling you. They're crazy. And there were some moments of unity in the marathon address of more than 90 minutes. The president honored veterans. The National Guardsman shot on patrol. in Washington, D.C. and the gold medal winning men's Olympic hockey team. Meanwhile, the Trump administration says that it is rolling out new sanctions on Iran targeting its military. During the president's speech last night, he pledged to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and says he wants to achieve that through diplomacy. The U.S. is also building up its military presence in the region. ABC's Christian Cordero has the details now from Washington.

As the U.S. weighs potential military strikes on Iran. Today, the U.S. weighs potential military strikes on Iran. State and Treasury departments announced they are rolling out a new wave of sanctions against the country, targeting certain military capabilities, including Iran's shadow fleet used to smuggle oil and weapons. Thursday is key. If we don't see progress, Friday is when the countdown really begins, where we may see the U.S. with some initial military action. The Trump administration is trying to pressure Iran into a deal that would stop them from getting nuclear weapons, despite administration officials also saying the U.S. strikes on Iran in just June, quote-unquote, obliterated their nuclear program.

The president last night said Iran could possibly start their nuclear program back up in the future. They want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words. We will never have a nuclear weapon. Trump says he'd prefer a diplomatic solution over military force. Iran's president says they're in the negotiation process, hoping he says the country can move beyond a state of, quote, neither war nor peace. A U.S. delegation is scheduled to meet with Iranian counterparts in Geneva tomorrow. And while Trump hasn't set a firm deadline on a nuclear deal,

last week he threatened to strike Iran within 10 to 15 dates. Kristian Carrero, ABC News, Washington. It's got a big weather now. And this morning I had a big coat on, and maybe by midday I was shedding it already. Yeah, nice warm up. It is springtime where we'll get those cold mornings and then you'll get a warmer afternoon. We've got really warm air-headed in just since half for your weekend.

We'll talk about that coming up. Good evening to you. We're not seeing any showers out there right now. First alert Doppler net scanning the skies dry across our part of the Carolinas. So let's show you what's happening. As far as a live look into downtown Durham. And it looks like they're getting ready to take the signs down on Deepak,

56 degrees, mostly cloudy in a south-southwest wind at 18 miles an hour. And the reason they're there taking those signs down is because the new season is about to be announced. And we will have it exclusively Saturday. night here on ABC 11. If you join us at 7 o'clock, and they'll also have two tickets to New York City to go see a Broadway show. If you want to see that, we'll be given that away with a secret word that night, too. So make sure and tune in Saturday night, 7 o'clock right here on ABC 11.

Tonight we'll go from the 60s down into the 50s for lows, rain late after midnight. It's good stay breezy out there, too, those southwest winds, 15 to 20 miles an hour. He'll drop into the upper 40 Smithfield, Sanford, 50, and Raleigh, 53 in Fayetteville. satellite radar composite shows the cloud cover working through as we headed through the afternoon and isolated sprinkle tried to fire. If we zoom it out, you can see back to the west. More rain out here. This is a system that will track east and bring us the showers tomorrow. So let's time it out for you. First alert predictor forecast model as we go through the overnight. We hit one, two o'clock in the morning. That's when those showers are starting to arrive. And we will see rain around, especially from the triangle north for your morning commute into the afternoon. Still scattered showers mainly. southern area is relatively dry. And then as this line drops through tomorrow afternoon, there is a possibility of thunder. So we will keep an eye out for that.

Nothing in the way of severe weather, although any storm can turn severe. It's gonna be more of a rain day with temperatures near 60 degrees across the region. A look at your seven day forecast. And as I promise, those warm air, that warmer air works in this weekend. Saturday looking good.

Sunshine 66 and Sunday looks even better. 73 degrees for the first day of March. Monday 48, Tuesday 51 and Wednesday 61 degrees. Glad to see you a nice dry weekend because I got to get my St. Patrick's Day decorations out, including my six-foot-tall inflatable leprechaun. My neighbors love to see every weekend. It's your favorite, isn't it? It is. He's named Seamus, and I can't wait to put him up again this year, so there you go. You don't put him in your truck. Usually you drive around with someone. That's inflatable, but that's only at Christmas. I haven't found one that works in my car just Yeah, no shame.

There's always time. Yep. All right. Lucky of the eyes. Yep. Coming up next and for a massive recall alert for Trader Joe shoppers, why customers are being told to throw out this frozen fried rice brand in particular. And it's free laundry day.

After the break, we'll tell you where in Fayetteville you can wash your clothes free of charge today. It is time now for some news you can use. First, a recall alert for those of you who may shop at Trader Joe's. The chain's frozen fried rice products are being voluntarily recall due to potential contamination with foreign materials, specifically glass. The affected products have best by dates of September the 8th, 2026 and November the 17th, 2026. They were sold at stores across the country, including here in North Carolina. Affected shoppers are encouraged to throw the fried rice out or to return it to the store for a full refund. Some of the most popular weight loss drugs will see price drops next year.

Nova Nordisk says that it will cut the list prices of OZMPIC and Wagovi by up to 50% starting January 1st. The move could affect the prices paid by people getting the drugs through health insurance. Patients paying cash have already seen price drops. And it is free laundry day today. People in Fayetteville can wash their clothes for free at the Wash House Laundromat on Owen Drive. That's right. families could bring in a load or two of clothes and wash them at no cost. The deal runs through 10 o'clock tonight. And that's news you can use. Barbara back over to you. All right, Amber, thank you. We'll new it for. If you're looking for a new pet, the City of Raleigh Museum is holding an annual adoption day. It's happening Saturday, March the 7th at the museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. families are invited to come out and find their perfect companion. The event is free and open to everyone, even if you just want to stop by and check out the pets. Why would you not? You should because they will still your heart.

They will take one home. Coming up here at the bottom of the hour, the push to address violence among young people in Fayetteville, how the city's new police chief is addressing the trend. Plus, the symbolic demolition. Raleigh's historic Heritage Park is being reimagined. The new vision for the neighborhood to offer more affordable housing. We are local news.

ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. And right now at 430, new crime data shows the city of Fayetteville, had an overall 7% drop in crime, but an increase in violent crimes. Penelope Lopez is joining us live outside the Fayetteville Police Department. Penelope, good afternoon. Police say overall crime is down, but some areas still need improvement. Good afternoon, Barbara. That's right. Youth crime continues to rise. Robberies have doubled and assaults are up by 50%. The last two reports and even consistently there's been a trend of crimes going down.

data from Fayetteville shows an overall downward trend with roughly a thousand fewer incidents in 2025 compared to 2024. Property crimes like burglary, robbery, and motor vehicle thefts are down by 9%. However, youth crime remains an area of concern. Incidents of robbery involving young people have doubled, rising from 20 in 2024 to 40 in 2025. Assault incidents are also up from 238 in 2024 to 359 in 2025, a 50% increase. And drug-related incidents are up by 12%. However, weapon offenses are down by 23%. Police Chief, Robert O'Brien Jr. said they are working with different partnerships across the city to help tackle this problem head on. We've gone to several community events where we're discussing these issues with our youth.

and we have, you know, folks that's been in the system that are coming back and talking about it so that we can address the issues from from that perspective. And one of the other main priorities that the chief has is increasing law enforcement presence across our city. He plans on doing that by filling the 23 officer vacancies by April. Coming up in the next hour, how local organizations are tackling this issue. Live in Fayetteville, Penelope Lopez, ABC 11, eyewitness news. I will look forward to that next report. Thank you, Penelope.

Today, Raleigh's mayor and members of the Raleigh Housing Authority outlined new plans for Heritage Park, an affordable housing community, which will be reimagined with hundreds of new units. The former Heritage Park built in the 1970s had fallen into disrepair and neglect. Now the new projects partners believe that they will be able to provide market rate quality housing that's fully integrated into a rapidly growing neighborhood and doesn't displace residents. In attendance was Rosa Rand, who grew up in Raleigh's historic Fourth Ward in the 50s, a vibrant majority black neighborhood that was effectively erased by urban renewal and the city's growth. Now decades later, she helped found the Fourth Ward Historic Neighborhood Association,

one of the groups that helped to guide Raleigh's newest affordable housing development over the finish line. We felt that when they told us they were rebuilt, it was broken promises, so that had brewed for years, and we were like, we've got to protect Heritage Park. The new Heritage Park will be rolled out in several phases, the first of which will include housing for seniors. The project is set to break ground as soon as this summer. Well, now to some other headlines in your speed feed. First, today, Wake County, spreading the word about the changes to 9-1-1-1-1-1-1. response. Wake EMS will start triaging callers, prioritizing patients based on needs and symptoms. The county says the new system will allow first responders to get the correct care to people in the quickest amount of time.

There will be seven community meetings for the public to ask questions about this. The first is at seven tonight at the Wake County Emergency Services Education Center on South Rogers Lane. Amazon is celebrating a major expansion across North Carolina. This morning, Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Deputy Commerce Secretary Kenny Flowers, held the ribbon on a new delivery station in Tarboro. It comes as the company announces the opening of five new delivery stations from the mountains to the coast. The state says that the new facilities have created more than 700 full and part-time jobs statewide. Well, the Vala Simpson at Worley Gig Park is the number one sculpture park in the country.

The Wilson Park coming up in the top spot of USA Today's Reader's Choice Award contest. This is the second year in a row. The park has made this list. Congratulations. And that is your speed feed. Amber, back to you. All right, Barbara, thanks. And Carborough. Thousands of North Carolinians came together today in an ambitious effort to break the world record for the most people trained in hands-only CPR in one day.

Researchers from the Duke University School of Medicine hosted the event today. They spent the day training people on how to perform CPR. Organizers say that having an immediate bystander to perform CPR can double to triple the chances of survival for someone going into cardiac arrest. But the most important group is the public. Most cardiac arrests occur in people's homes. So it's up to each person to know CPR, to be able to save the lives of their family, friends, loved ones. And the event is part of the race cars trial,

which is focused on improving survival for out of hospital cardiac arrest. That is such an important skill to have. Absolutely. Life saving. Also new at four wishes for local children. Children soaring higher than ever before thanks to a new partnership between Make a Wish Eastern North Carolina and Breeze Airways. Breeze Airways is now the official airline partner

of Make a Wish, Eastern NC. The Raleigh-based announcement makes the chapters the fourth to join the Airlines Breeze for Wish's Flight Program, which launched in 2024 to support wish-related travel and fundraising efforts. And this partnership kicked off at RDU this week with a special send-off for 16-year-old Joshua and his family as they boarded a flight to Orlando to visit his dream theme park. Make a wish Eastern NC has granted more than 4,800 wishes since 1986. Congratulations. Have a fun time. Still ahead, travel concerns for people going to Mexico. Violence erupts in response to a military operation that led to the capture and killing of one of Mexico's largest drug cartels. And the United States is beefing up its military presence in the Middle East

as tensions with Iran continue to escalate. The U.S. is sending a dozen stealth F-22 fighter jets to Israel. This is in addition to the dozens of military aircraft, tankers, and warships now positioned in that region. The military buildup in the Middle East is the largest since the start of the Iraq War in 2003. President Trump has threatened to attack Iran if a deal on restricting the country's nuclear program is not reached. Spring break is right around the corner for many students and families, but with some of those plans with plans to vacation in Mexico, there is a lot of concern after violence. A violence erupted across several Mexican states in retaliation for the killing of a top drug cartel boss.

Airports had to close. Americans were told to shelter in place. And while travel is returning to normal, some tourists are understandably still on edge. T.J. Johnson and his family were vacationing in Puerto Vajarta when the chaos unfolded Sunday. There were a couple of motorcycles that approached us to try to get us to stop or to pull over. It was scary. We did not talk. I did a lot of silent prey. That mission taking out the drug cartel boss was conducted with the help of U.S. intelligence. Bill Gates has apologized to his foundation for his past ties with Jeffrey Epstein. His apology comes after documents came out earlier this month, detailing a connection between the Microsoft co-founder and the late convicted sex offender. According to the Wall Street Journal, Gates held a town hall

with Gates Foundation staff where he admitted that he had two affairs with Russian women that Epstein later discovered, but Gates said the affairs did not involve Epstein's victims. Gates had recently released images in the files showing him with women were pictured that Epstein asked him to take with Epstein's assistance after their meetings. Gates said spending time with Epstein was, quote, a huge mistake and he denied any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein. Coming up next on eyewitness News for the 2025, Rock and 26 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, nominees are here. Coming up after the break, we'll tell you which big names made the cut. Plus, this. Oh, how I'm missing. How he's smiling like this is the life. A singing mailman,

how this postal service worker has risen to fame. You can see why. And the big way the internet came together to help make his commute to work a whole lot easier. ABC 11 First Alert Weather on eyewitness news every day. New at 4, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its nominees for 2026 and this year. The list is the largest ever with 17 artists. Ten of them are first-time nominees, including Lauren Hill, Phil Collins, Wu-Tang Clan, Shakira, and Luther Vendross. The only artists to make the list in their first year of eligibility is pink. Returning to the ballot again, the Black Crows and Billy Idol.

Oasis is also back on the list, despite singer Liam Gallagher disavowing the Hall of Fame, and heavy metal band Iron Maiden, also returning for the third time. Now to today's top trendy stories in real news. First, the Winter Olympics may be over, but for two brothers, they are still taking part in the fun right in their living room, very inspired. Check out the two young boys sliding across the floor on a homemade bob sled built from cardboard as their mom pushes them along. The family shared this video online saying the playful stunt, of course, was inspired

by the recent winter games. I imagine there's a lot of that going on after the Olympics. In Chicago, a male man has gone viral, and it is easy to see why, for simply trying to cheer up one grandmother's day. He's awesome. This for you, grandma. Traded in the lazy days I used to lay down by the river. Oh, how I'm missing.

He can sang, Barbara. He can sang. That's Levante Harvey singing, and he touched hearts online. After a woman asked him to do. that to sing for her grandmother who recently lost her husband of 50 years and he's got a voice. Levante gained so much popularity online that this happened. People started to go fund me for him to raise money for a new car. Levante went from having a two and a half hour commute on public transportation. Now to a 30 minute drive for that beautiful song. New Yorkers taking advantage

of record snowfall, hundreds of people gathering at Washington Square Park in lower Manhattan for a massive snowball fight. You can see snowballs flying through the air as the crowd enjoys the snow day fun. They were pent up, had to get out. The National Weather Service reported more than 25 inches of snow accumulation on Sunday through Monday and that a blizzard warning.

And now they're going to get a little bit more snow tomorrow. All right, that's real news. Barbara, back to you. That is a lot of snow. Amber, thank you. Well, now to a must-see video showing a frightening incident at an intersection in Omaha, Nebraska. Check this out.

Watch what happens to the two vehicles sitting at that light. The SUV and the pickup truck fall into a sinkhole. Look at that. Thankfully, the drivers of those two vehicles were not hurt. Vehicles have been removed and repairs to the road are being made. Unbelievable. Yeah, that's wild. Yes. Don, it is a hold onto your hat and your eyelashes kind of day. I don't have to worry about the eyelashes. For some of us. That's good. Good thing to add to my things you need to know as a dude. So there you go. It is very windy out there today. Live look at

First alert, Doppler. Now we're not seeing any showers out there to deal with. We are seeing those winds, though, gusting into the 20-plus mile-in-hour range. A live look into downtown carry. All the flags flying still at half-staffed through the end of the month in honor of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Let's talk temperatures, 54 out your door, Oxford, 56 Rocksboro, 57 Carborough, Raleigh, 59 in Smithfield, 60 Goldsboro, 56 in Wilson, 61 in Southern Pines. A look at the next 12 hours. those temperatures falling through the 50s. By midnight, the shower start to arrive and it will rain through the overnight. We'll talk more about those rainy conditions coming up at 5 o'clock.

Let's find out what else is coming up at 5 o'clock. For more on that, we check in with Stephen Lorne. Don, thanks very much. Coming up, all new here at 5, we continue our Black History Month coverage. A Durham-based architecture firm giving a new life to an old school, once a private boarding school, for blacks. More on the $3.5 million reimagining project to build a big cultural complex. And the UNC system is considering raising the cost of tuition at all 16 universities.

The final vote is coming up tomorrow. And if it's past, students will be paying a little more in the fall semester, how they are reacting to the news. Itchy, watery eye, sneezing, running noses. You know the symptoms when you hear them. Spring allergies just a few weeks away. And for some people, it could be sooner. What allergists are, what allergens are likely to hit hardest first. Yeah, we know that.

And a big shout out to Duke Gardens in Durham. It's been nominated as one of the best botanical gardens in the country. but they need your help to push them across the finish line in this vote. How you can help him out coming up. And we continue to follow the death investigation in Wake County, a 16-year-old facing murder charges today from his hospital bed. The district attorney talking to Elena Athens tonight about the next steps in the case against that teenager. Those stories and more when we see you next year at 5 o'clock.

Barbara Nambra. All right. Stephen Lauren, thank you. And this afternoon, a local scientist makes an appearance on the Tamron Hall show today. Research Triangle International Analytical Chemist, Dr. Amari Walker Franklin, It analyzes complex environmental and biological samples, including surface waters, waste waters, sediment, and biological serums. And today she joined Tamron to talk about PFS, also known as Forever Chemicals and Air Friars, microplastics and seafood, and also alternatives for healthier choices.

I think what the headlines are most concerned with is this nonstick coating commonly found on some of these air friars. And what that nonstick coating is is usually PTFE, which is a PFS, commonly called a forever chemical because those can tend to live for, you know, thousands of years and have been shown to accumulate in various parts of our environment and even in our bodies. Now, we're worried about PFAS in particular because that even low levels of exposure, like parts per billion, parts per trillion, there's some, you know, some health effects associated with it like various cancers, different issues with our reproductive system.

And you can watch the Tameran Hall Show weekdays at two right here on ABC 11. Coming up here at 4.30, shaping the next generation. As I would as choose continues to celebrate Black History Month, we're sitting down with a local couple who's using their personal experiences to pass down their culture to younger generations. Tonight on ABC, it's the return of Scrubs. First at 8.7 Central, John J.D. Dorian

unexpectedly finds himself back at Sacred Heart. Then at 837.30 Central, J.D. navigates a new normal while Elliot and Turk clash over the budget. How long did it take you to get back into the grid? groove. When they announced it, I was already back in Bicolor. You answered the phone and you're like, yes. I think at the table read was the first time it was just, we were all just laughing so hard.

Then at 9-8 Central, don't miss the series premiere of Nate Bargettsey's New Game Show, The Greatest Average American. That's followed by encore episodes of Scrubs at 109 Central and 103930 Central. Then your late local news, plus Jimmy Kim alive with guest Jason Bateman, and Chloe Kim.