ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - January 21, 2026

Episode Date: January 21, 2026

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Right now, and I witness news at 4 preparing for a major winter storm. Governor Stein declares a state of emergency as severe winter weather moves closer to North Carolina. We have expert advice on preparing your home and your plants for ice and snow. And we're following breaking news in the trial for the teenager accused in Raleigh's deadly mass shooting. Austin Thompson pleading guilty to all charges today. We have live coverage from the courthouse. Plus, giving the gift of life. The ABC 11 together blood drive now underway.

the three places you can donate now. I witness who's at four starts right now. Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, keeping you connected to your community and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11, I Witness News. Right now on IWitness News, we're first alerting you to a potential major winter storm in the forecast. Winter storm watch and effect for parts of the viewing area as we've raised for the potential

of ice and snow this weekend. Thank you for joining us for the news at four. I'm Barbara Gibbs. I'm Amber Repentant. And right now all eyes, of course, are on the weekend with this storm setting up. A number of states across the East Coast could see snow, sleet, and ice, including North Carolina. That's right. Governor Stein has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, headed our way. Let's go right now to Chief Peterologist Don Schwinnerker in the forecast now. And you know, we're expecting things to change as they do, but it looks like maybe the time is shifting a bit. Yeah, it looks like this could happen maybe later in the day on Saturday. And we're seeing more air, warm air intrude. That would mean more ice.

We'll talk about that in just a second. Here's that winter storm watch. Remember, watch means we're watching the situation. Usually the National Weather Service doesn't issue these until 36 hours out. They did it a whole day earlier because there's so much potential for severe storm. So I'm going to walk you through a couple of models. Don't pay attention to the amounts because that doesn't really tell the story. This is the European model. And earlier in the week, it was showing 10, 15 inches of snow.

It's down to a tenth of an inch of snow possibly. The reason for that is because now we're seeing what could be significant amounts of ice. And I didn't even put the amounts on just to show you, but significant to crippling ice is possible from the triangle up to the north. And that would cause massive power outages. So you say, well, that's the European model. What's the American model showing? It's also showing massive power outages possible.

and ice accumulations to the south, then more of a snow event to the north. So if you look at the snow from the American model, and it hasn't done very well all winter, but we still check it out. It's showing six or more inches up here, and that's because it would increase more snow and less ice. So because of all that,

we could see a real mess as we head into the weekend. I just tweeted out and put it on all of my social media. You should make plans that do not include travel Saturday, Sunday, Monday because I think the roads could be impassable in spots. We'll talk more about that coming up. We're clear out there right now. First alert Doppler net. If we take a look at the next 12 hours, we've got a beautiful evening ahead and not as cold

tonight by 4 o'clock we're in the 40s instead of 20s and teens like last night. We'll talk more about a big warm up tomorrow. Could see some rain, not snow on Friday. And that all important weekend forecast, it's all coming up for you in just a couple of minutes. Ladies. All right, Don, thank you. Now, one of the biggest concerns of this winter storm is what Dom is just talking about.

It is the ice. It can be dangerous for a host of. things, the roads especially, tree limbs, that can be dangerous and it doesn't take much time for the ice to get on those tree limbs and the branches to fall, which could damage people, cars, and of course, you know, what we're talking about, the power outages. Yeah, not just limbs and tire trees can come down. John Dowding is joining us live from outside the Raleigh, Iwood News News Center. John, what advice are you learning from experts? Well, excuse me, experts are saying right now, now is the time to prepare for this winter storm.

And local horticulturalists are warning everybody to just really. be aware of the threat of falling tree limbs because of ice. They said even though we might get a little bit of ice, it doesn't take much ice for those tree limbs to begin to fall. Ice is the biggest concern. It's always a concern because it just adds so much weight. As more details of this winter storm takes shape, concerns are rising about potential ice accumulations across the triangle. Eyewitness news is speaking with horticulturalists from the J.C. Ralston Arboretum. They say falling tree limbs could cause a lot of damage. And it only takes about a quarter of of an inch of ice for limbs to fall.

Staff say regularly prune and maintain trees around your home year round to prevent issues during storms. Some species are more susceptible to ice damage than others, things like elms, Bradford Pears, things like that. Oaks are very strong trees, but if you have trees in urban situations that are under stress, then they might be more likely to have damage with the ice. Again, ice really that biggest concern as that storm

inches even closer to us here in the triangle Well, another important tip, do not park your cars under trees. If you can avoid it, that way you can protect your car from any falling limbs that may come down because of the storm. And we also reached out to some of our local school districts ahead of this winter storm to see what plans they are going to have in place. We'll be sharing what they're telling us about the plans they're making coming up right here at 5 o'clock. Live here outside the Riley Eyewitness News Center. I'm John Doutting. ABC 11, eyewitness News. All right, John, so much to think about, so much to do to prepare.

Thank you for that great advice. And as we brace for potential winter weather, eyewitness news will bring you all of the latest weather updates throughout the week. You can download the free ABC 11 mobile app if you haven't already. You'll get the latest watches and mornings. And you can also check Doppler net and the 7-8 forecast any time. Breaking right now here at 4 o'clock, Austin Thompson pleading guilty to all charges. He is the teen who killed five people in the Headingham neighborhood of Raleigh when he was just 15 years old in 2022. Among the victims, a Raleigh police officer, as well as Thompson's older brother.

James Price joining us now from the Wake County Courthouse with more on these breaking details. Jamise. Amber, we are right outside of that courtroom where Austin Thompson pleads guilty to those five counts of murder, including the death of his older brother James Thompson and Raleigh Police Officer Gabrielle Torres. In addition to those five murder count, he also enters a guilty plea to two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, along with another charge of an assault. with a firearm on a law enforcement officer. Now these charges stem from the 2022 Headingham mass shooting that shook that

Raleigh community to its core. Right now you have the prosecution really laying out that brutal crime from the first victim and 911 call through the moment. Thompson was captured by law enforcement. Inside the courtroom are victims and the family of victims who are once again reliving this day. So here's how things started today in court.

Thompson came in that courtroom around 2.30. It was brief, two minutes max, then left back out with his attorneys. There was a lengthy conference with Thompson's lawyers, the DA, and the judge. Now Thompson's lawyers filed a notice yesterday saying Thompson was always accepted his responsibility for the shooting and after much deliberation with his defense team decided to plead guilty in an effort to spare the victims, the community and the family and the trauma of the trial. So families and victims finally getting some form of closure. We hope to hear from them in the next few minutes as those court proceedings wrap up. I'll send it back over to you guys in the studio.

All right, we will check back in there. Jembees Price keep us posted. Thank you. We're also following breaking news unfolding in the Isaiah Ross murder trial. Ross has officially started testifying there. You can see him on the stand. He is charged in the deaths of two teenagers, Lyrick Woods and Devin Clark in Orange County. The alleged murder happened when he was 17 in September of Our Cindy Bay is live there in the courtroom as he is on the stand. We're going to check in with Cindy. She'll have the latest from today's testimony coming up here later at 4. Well today marks one year since a Raleigh officer was critically injured in a shooting in a Raleigh neighborhood.

On January 21st of 2025, Officer Max Gillick was responding to a break-in at a home in the Renaissance Park neighborhood. The homeowner had called 911 and said that she and her boyfriend were packing and moving boxes when her ex-husband later identified as in Antonio Rodriguez showed up and broke into the home. That is, according to the district attorney's findings, Rodriguez used a stun gun on the boyfriend, later identified as 73-year-old John Rome, and then left and came back with a 44 caliber rifle, which he used to shoot into the house, striking Roe.

The homeowner was able to get out and run to a neighbor's house. Officer Gillick was shot as he was trying to get Roe to safety. Officers returned fire, killing Rodriguez, a shooting that was later determined to be justified for. Skillick was in the hospital for months before finally being released in March. Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce released this statement on the one-year anniversary of those events, saying in part, quote, we understand that this has been an incredibly difficult and painful time for many who were affected by the traumatic events of that day.

Please know that you are not alone and that your community is here to support you, not just in words, but through care and action. RPD says their trauma counselor is available to offer support for anyone in need. Well now to a school lockdown in Wake County, Chopper 11 over Wake Preparatory Academy in Wake Forest this morning. The school closing today after receiving a threat against the campus, Wake Prep moving to a remote instruction day for the remainder of today's school day. Students already at campus were picked up this morning at a nearby Harris Teeters tour. And now at 4 Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill just approving the largest campus expansion in its history. The university plans a new campus extension in Carolina North around the former Horace Williams,

airport covering more than 230 acres. Steve Daniels is joining us now to talk about this expansion, plus some of the pushback that it's getting. Yeah, hi Amber. It's a really big project for UNC Chapel Hill. It'll have housing for students and working families and also a hotel, shops and restaurants and entertainment and recreation facilities. Carolina North will also have classrooms and research labs in the growing fields of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology. Construction could begin as early as 2027. One thing the announcement today does not addresses the future of the Dean Smith Center, home to the Tar Heels men's basketball program for 40 years. University leaders are trying to figure out if they should relocate the arena or renovate the arena,

which could cost roughly $80 to $100 million. Former head coach Roy Williams and player Tyler Hansbro are among those who think the arena should be renovated and not moved. I'm very much in favor of staying here in the Smith Center, remodeling, renovating, whatever we need to do. I do not want to go off campus. I was Coach Smith's assistant for 10 years. We had many discussions about basketball, about life,

about the golf course, everything. But I do know during the conversation about what to get out of this building, the Smith Center, that Coach Smith wanted this place on campus. You know, when you look throughout college basketball, there's very few arenas. And I would put the Smith Center right there above or not with Fogg Allen, Cameron, all those places.

We hold so much tradition and so many great experiences. We must renovate and keep this place and keep the tradition alive right here in the Smith Center. Okay, so those social media videos from Tyler Hansborough and from Roy Williams are part of a petition drive right now to try to keep the Smith Center right there where it is on the UNC campus. As far as Carolina North goes, the new development. Today, a board of trustees committee approved $8 million. to hire a design team to draft a plan for that Carolina North Campus. It's located along the Estes Drive extension from MLK Boulevard to Sewell School Road. UNC is planning up buses connecting those two campuses.

But it is a big project and it took a big step forward today. Barbara. All right. Steve, thank you. We'll keep following that. Still to come, ABC 11 partners with the American Red Cross for the sixth annual ABC 11 together Blood Drive. We're going to take you live inside some of the locations where people are donating in hopes of saving lives. Plus, a league of their own, the Triangle welcoming a professional women's softball teams of the area.

We're sitting down with one of the players from the Carolina Blaze as the team prepares to kick off its season later this year. Don? And we're taking a live look at 40 Airport Boulevard right now. Moving along just fine. The trucks are out though putting down the brine. So make sure and watch out for them. Traffic can get real slow, real quick. So be sure to keep an eye out for that.

As we hit a break here, your traffic hotspots brought to you by your first alert weather team. The ABC 11 First Alert Forecast team is working to keep you safe. One ease across the region. Some cloud cover starting to build. That rain is going to push on through. Cold air coming in. The first alert forecast team. Only on ABC 11, I Witness News.

Alert. Right now for January is National Blood Donor Month. Every two seconds, someone in the country needs blood. And that's why ABC 11 is partnering with the American Red Cross for another year of our blood donation campaign. And we have team coverage from each. each of the three sites across the viewing area where you can donate. Akila Davis is in Durham, Penelope Cruz in Fayetteville. Let's start with DeWan Hogarth, though, in Raleigh.

So, Dwan, how's it going there in the capital city? Good Good Good Good. Good Afternoon to you so far so good. People have been coming through one by one here at the Embassy Suites, Raleigh Crab Tree, across from Crabtree Valley Mall, just right over here to my immediate left here. This is John. John and I had a chance to talk outside a little bit.

Thanks for you to help, John, make a difference there. We had a chance to talk before he ended up coming in, just really wanting to make a difference. And the reason why today is especially important is because last month with some of the winter storms across the area, that ended up canceling a number of blood drives, important blood drives that the American Red Cross needed to absolutely make a difference. So right now, they're about 35% lower, blood shortage lower than what they normally would expect. So they've been seeing people come in throughout the day. and I was I was told just moments ago that they're really, really close to reaching their goal for today. Appointments are still available.

They'll be out here until 6 o'clock. However, if you do not have an appointment, they still say that they are accepting walk-ins just about for anybody who is able to come and to make a difference here in the lives who need it. Another big thing that is getting in the way of this blood drive shortage is the fact that the COVID and the flu season is doing a number across the country. So they're doing events like this just to make sure that they can have. have enough blood for those in need. And if you happen to do come out with the couple of hours that they do have left, what they'll give you a red t-shirt just like this, a long-sleevee t-shirt, American Red Cross,

ABC 11 together, and on it, there's a heart and it says make a difference. So you two can make a difference by coming out here before 6 o'clock. Again, walk-ins are accepted at the embassy suites, Raleigh-Crab Tree so you can make a difference in somebody's life. We're live in Raleigh, Hogan, I-Wingness News. All right, Duane, thank you so much. All right, let's go to Durham now. Red Cross also set up at the streets at South Point Mall.

That's where we find Akela Davis right in front of the Nordstroms there. Akela, how's it going? Yeah. It's going pretty good. Listen, people have been donating all day here at the streets of South Point for our ABC 11 together. Blood Drive. You can see there are a few people on the table giving the gift of life already. Wonderful to see them here.

We're going to bring in Becca Merritt with the American Red Cross. Becca, if you can talk to us a little bit about the critical need. Yes, we have a sense. shortage right now of our blood supply. Hospitals have drawn down almost 35% of our available supply in just the last month, in part due to one of the worst flu seasons we've seen in almost 20 years. We also have severe weather coming our way this weekend, and we need everybody's help in ensuring we have a sufficient blood supply for all of our patients who need it now and who will need it this weekend. It's been a constant flow of folks today. What have you seen? What have you

notice. We've seen a wonderful community turnout and it is on all of us to invest in the well-being in our own communities and we need everyone to come out and roll their sleeves and save a life today. That's right. And there is still time. As Becca mentioned, we have about almost two hours or so left for our sixth annual ABC 11 together, blood drives will come out and support such a wonderful cause. Back to you. All right, Akela. Akila, Akila Davis live for us at the streets of South Point Mall and Durham, we appreciate that. going to go to first alert weather now. Don Schwinnaker has been tracking the latest models and the forecast as we get closer to the storm forecast this weekend and of course the ice potential is

that's right. That's not it. Was that model up? Yes, that's not it. That is something I'm working on. So that was accidentally put up there. Don't worry, we're changing the graphic over right now for some reason. We can't see it on TV, I think, Don't. That's right. That's good. I didn't know if you can see it on On TV, I wanted to make sure we're building kind of our forecast as we go. And you heard in the Blood Drive interview that, I mean, you know, everybody out there is hearing the news about the storm coming up and they're getting prepared, which is good. But it will help us know the timing, what you think is going to come, and how severe it's going to be. Yeah. And right now I would say, do not plan on traveling anywhere Saturday night through at least Monday.

It's just we have the potential for a really nasty storm. Here is the latest winter storm watch, in effect from the next. National Weather Service. And they put this out a day earlier than they usually do because there's so much potential to see nasty weather. Right now, the biggest threat is snow in the north, sleet and freezing rain and ice to the south. We'll be talking more about that coming up. So, you know, I had somebody asked me what the storm risks are. This has increased since yesterday. I've adjusted this. So here's my confidence right now. This point out, and this can change as we get closer and get more data. But this point out, I feel highly confident that we'll see extreme cold weather.

Temperatures below freezing for a couple of days. We'll see snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice. Could see rain too to the south. That's why those southern counties aren't under that watch just yet. I see roads and travel, high confidence that you will not be able to travel in spots Saturday night into Monday. And finally, power outages that's gone up a little bit. It all depends on snow or ice accumulation, but I do think there will be power outages toward the end of the weekend. prepared now. One of our folks behind the scenes, Rob and our producer said, well, what's the difference between rain, sleet, snow? Let's walk you through it. So rain happens when the drops fall out of the clouds and it's warm all the way to the ground. It stays liquid and that gives us

rain. What we're worried about is freezing rain. That's where it's warmer in the upper part of the atmosphere, colder in the lower part of the atmosphere. So it falls out of the sky as rain. It stays a rain drop all the way to the ground. But when it hits surfaces that are below freezing, it freezes and you get that ice accumulation that will bring down. power lines. Now what we may end up with is a lot of sleet. That would be good because you can shovel sleet and it doesn't accumulate as much as snow. That's where it starts out as snow or rain. It melts in the warm air into raindrops. Everything's raindrops look like those little tears. No, raindrops are actually circles. So as that warm air melts the raindrops, it actually

changes it to raindrops and then it freezes before it hits the ground. That's sleet and we could see that and then snow is where it stays cold all the way to the ground. So that's what we'll be watching for this weekend where that rain sleet snow line sets up. It's a big question mark this far out. We're dry on the first alert Doppler net tonight. We will see more cloud cover through the overnight. So that is going to push the temperatures up. We won't be below freezing tonight. Normal is 32. We'll actually be at 38 degrees. Then tomorrow is shaping up to be a beautiful day. If we didn't have that storm on the horizon, we'd be talking about tomorrow because we'll be 60 in Raleigh, 62 in Durham. At Fayetteville, you can get to 64 degrees. Your first alert, 7.

day forecasts showing temperatures on Friday falling 47 rain at this point no snow and it's just scattered showers best chance would be to the south Saturday it's trending later and later in the day now with the European and the Canadian models both putting it out as a Saturday p.m. after lunchtime beginning as a wintry mix changing over to that wintry mix of rain sleet freezing rain and snow it ends on monday still cold and we don't go above freezing from Friday until Tuesday And that's a problem because even if the sun does break out on Monday, low sun angle, we're not going to melt a lot of that ice. So that's why I think all three of these days could be travel problems for you. I know there are people who have to drive and have to work just make plans ahead.

It could take you hours to get to work instead of minutes. So be prepared as we head into the weekend. Ladies. All right. Thank you, Dawn. Up next, popular women's store Francescas is closing what the company is saying about its decision to close all of its stores. Plus Delta Airlines is getting ready. for the weekend's potential winter weather, the special deal the airline is offering,

hoping to avoid getting caught in the storm. This made a presentation. Grab your docks, your permits, your moose. AI levels of your pitch gets it in a crew with your timeless. AI builds the deck so you can build that thing. Learn more at adobe.com slash do that with Acrobat. Time now for some news you can use why the weather, with the weather forecast predicting winter storms across the southeast, Delta Airlines is offering booked customers flexibility for

flight adjustments. Delta is allowing anyone with travel plans to places that are in the predicted storm area or that could be impacted by the storm to change their flight free of charge. The travel dates eligible for alteration are January 23rd through the 25th. The ticket must be reissued on or before January 28th and then book travel must begin no later than January the 28th. Well, after more than 25 years, Women's Clothing Boutique Francescas is set to close all of its stores. An exact date has not been given yet, but the spokesperson says that Francescas is liquidating inventory and closing soon. There are two locations in Raleigh, one in Crabtree Mall and another in the Village District Shopping Center. Well, Lulu Lemon fans may have to wait to wait to get low.

Sales of a new workout line by that name get low have been paused online after complaints that Some of the leggings turned see-through when people bend or squat down, which you don't want. The company has not said when they plan to launch the line, but they say hopefully sometime soon. So you've got to have to wait, Amber, if you want to get low. And you hope it's not, you know, transparent. Nobody wants that. No. All right, Barbara, thanks.

Well, we are still tracking the Buddhist monks that have captured the nation. They're currently walking thousands of miles for peace. They were in Chatham County this afternoon. Our camera crew, they're on the ground as the monks made their way through the area, people coming out to greet them along the way. The monks are expected to arrive in Raleigh later this week, of course, barring any bad weather, so we're keeping a close eye on that. Well, Scylestone Marble's Children's Museum in Raleigh is preparing for some major renovations. Coming up after the break, the big change is coming to the downtown Raleigh attraction. And we continue following the breaking news unfolding in the Isaiah Ross murder trial.

Ross has officially started testifying. We're going to take you live to the hearing that's happening now when we return. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. And we continue following breaking news that is unfolding right now in the Isaiah Ross murder trial. Ross has officially started testifying. He's charged in the deaths of 14-year-old Lyric Woods and 18-year-old Devin Clark, both from Orange County.

The murders happened when he was 17 years old in September of 2022. City Bay, live in court for us. She'll have the latest from today's testimony coming up later in the show. Right now at four, we're learning more about the district administrators now indicted, connected to an alleged incident at a Durham Elementary School. It stems from a matter in November of 2024 at Ino Valley Elementary School and the manner in which officials reported what happened. Michael Perchix joins us live outside the Durham Board of Education. Michael, you've been diving into the paperwork surrounding this case.

What have you learned? The victim in this case was a six-year-old girl with autism who is allegedly tied to a chair with a rope. These charges largely focus on allegations running a lack of cooperation between school and district officials and law enforcement. Today we're learning more about the investigation into three DPS officials, now on administrative leave. Dr. Tanya Giovanni, the deputy superintendent of administrative legal and compliance services, facing five counts of felonies. obstruction of justice. Aisha Hunter, senior executive director of employee relations, facing six count of felony obstruction of justice and two counts of perjury, and Dr. Tony Wright, who had been serving as principal at Eno Valley Elementary, facing three counts of felony

obstruction of justice and one count of perjury. Court documents broadly claimed the trio were not fully forthcoming with information surrounding the November 2024 incident, including the timeline of when the school first learned of the matter. Initially, Wright said she was given photos anonymously of the victim tied to a chair late on November 22nd, 2024, but a school custodian contradicted that claim, saying the incident was reported days earlier. Separally, it cast questions over the level of inquiry human resources took and learning about what took place, with the Giovanni reportedly stating in a meeting at the district attorney's office last year that human resources investigations are, quote, not this super formalized thing where you're like documenting everything.

In an email to Inno Valley Elementary Families, Superintendent Dr. Anthony S. Lewis wrote in part, quote, What I want to be clear about is this. Protecting students is a fundamental obligation that defines our work. Any matter involving student safety requires urgency, care, and full cooperation. Responsiveness and accountability are essential expectations for all of us, particularly when working with law enforcement or other authorities. To be clear, these three individuals indicted are not accused or charged. charged with child abuse, but for the lack of cooperation surrounding the allegation of child abuse

at Eno Valley Elementary in November 2024. We have attempted to reach all three have not been successful in doing so at this juncture. The Durham Association of Educators tells ABC 11 it does not have a statement on this matter. Coming up at five, we speak with the mother of a child with special needs at a separate DPS school. Her reaction to these allegations, learn as you learned about them today. I'm Michael Perchick. ABC 11, High Witness News. All right, Michael, thank you. Now to some other headlines in your speed feed first.

The Raleigh Police Department will soon be able to track cars that evade a traffic stop without having to pursue them, decreasing risk to pedestrians, motorists, and officers. Tuesday night, the City Council accepted a donation for more than $174,000 to buy StarChase trackers. Star Chase is a GPS tracking system that launches adhesive-backed-backed GPS-tebrose. onto fleeing cars. This allows officers to disengage from dangerous high-speed pursuits and track suspects safely from a distance. At least 22 cars will have that device. Raleigh's Marbles Kids Museum will soon undergo some major renovations. Waite County Commissioners have approved $4.7 million for new

exhibit space and upgrades to the museum along South Blount Street downtown. The project also includes a new rooftop courtyard with a kid-sized racetrack for play and hosting events. Construction set to begin In February, renovations are expected to be complete by winter for a grand opening event. Your voice, your vote, and important testing happening today in Durham, the county's board of elections checking the accuracy of voting machines that will be used for the upcoming primary elections. The bipartisan teams will test from 10 until 5 every day until that process is completed. Primary Election Day is coming up on March 3rd. And as we prepare for the cold weather, the Salvation Army in Wake County is helping people to stay warm.

The nonprofit passed out coats to those in need today. The Salvation Army tells us they collected thousands of codes to pass out today, many of them brand new. Still to calm, eye witness, season four. President Trump is addressing the controversy over his desire to make Greenland acquired by the U.S. His message today to other world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Plus, giving the gift of life. People in Fayetteville rolling up their sleeves today for the annual American Red Cross blood drive. We will take you live to that event that's happening right now.

And Don's watching that winter storm to come. Yeah, winter weather, winter storm watch in effect now for most of the viewing area. Southeastern County is not under it yet. More potential for rain down there. We'll talk more about that. And a first alert to a nasty weekend forecast coming up. Happening right now, ABC 11 together partnering with the American Red Cross for the sixth annual blood drive. It comes as January marks national blood donor month.

For the next hour and a half, you can show up at locations in Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville. you would like to help give the gift of life. Penelope Lopez is live force at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Good afternoon to you, Penelope, one of the locations this evening. How has it been going all day? Good afternoon. We've been here all morning and the turnout has been pretty great. So far, 50 people have rolled up their sleeves to donate blood.

That's about 42 units, about 80% near their goal. So it's been a great turnout so far. I'm going to step aside so you can say we have one, two, three, four, five people donating blood at this moment. And I want to reiterate some of the things that the American Red Cross has been saying. You know, the shortage has been very significant. There's been a drop in donors leading to about 35% of blood products in the past month. The flu and dropping temperatures have also contributed to this decline.

But the people here are making sure that we can get those numbers up and donate and help those patients. patients. The good thing about being here at Fayville Tech is that students are also making a difference. We notice an increase in students coming in around the noon mark with students trying to squeeze in some time. I spoke with one freshman, Kira Christian, who walked in with no appointment after seeing a donation sign. I know there's a bloodshorge going around. The people here are very informed about it. So I'm just hoping the people who need it can get the resources they need. I'm just hoping what you know I can save someone if I can just trying to be helpful. Just trying to be helpful.

This was her first time that she donated. She told me that after this she was going to grab a snack and then go to her art class. I hope she made it there on time. But nonetheless, she was able to make a difference. And so can you, you have until 6 p.m. here at Fayetteville Tech to roll up your sleeves and save a life. Live in Fayetteville, Penelope Lopez, ABC 11, eyewitness news. We appreciate everyone so much for giving the gift of life today. Penelope, thank you so much.

Our ABC 11 Together Blood Drive is happening. Until 6 o'clock today, appointments are available at the Embassy Suites, Raleigh Crabtree, the streets at South Point Mall in Durham, and where Penelope is, Fayetteville Technical Community College, you can make an appointment by going to ABC11.com, or it's kind of late in the day. You can also just show up as a walk-in. They'll be glad to have you. A single blood donation can help save more.

more than one life. And we all appreciate it. And so many others, countless others do as well. President Trump speaking today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, addressing the controversy over the desire to acquire Greenland as part of the US. He called for immediate negotiations with Denmark about the US acquisition, but also said he would not

use force to take the island. President Trump posting on social media that after meeting with NATO Secretary General, he has a quote, framework of a future deal on Greenland. He provided no details of what a deal would include but said Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would lead the negotiations. The president also saying he is backing off his threat of new tariffs on eight NATO allies and stepping back from his previous rhetoric that suggested he could use military force to seize control

of Greenland. People thought I would use force. I don't have to use force. I don't have to use force. I don't think it'll be necessary. I really don't. Okay. I think people are going to use better judgment.

use their best judgment, and I don't think that will not be necessary. President Trump maintains it is the United States alone that can protect Greenland, but European leaders are pushing back strongly about that. Vice President J.D. Vance plans to visit Minnesota tomorrow. A person familiar with the planning says the trip will include a roundtable discussion with local leaders and remarks in Minneapolis. Tensions, as you have been seeing, are high in the city and ongoing ice raids. ABC News has learned that top demonstration.

Democrats in the state, Governor Tim Walts, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul. And two county attorneys are all being served with subpoenas by the DOJ. The Justice Department is investigating whether they all conspired to impede ICE operations. Coming up next and four, a sweet treat for Marvel fans. We'll show you which cookie maker the superhero franchise is teaming up with. Plus from TikTok to a national TV commercial with an audience of tens of millions. will introduce you to the woman whose love for a certain soda brand earned her a big paycheck. New here at 4. Marvel is teaming up with Oreo to launch a new Stuff of Legends cookie.

Oreo announced the collaboration on Instagram today. The Stuff of Legends Oreos features a record 32 embossments depicting beloved characters like Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Man, and more. The cookies are set to hit shelves next month on February 2nd. Marvel is owned by Disney, who is the parent company of ABC 11. Now to today's top trending stories in real news. First, a driver in Illinois was really shocked when he spotted a group of horses roaming free and then realized one of them was actually a zebra.

Austin McCartney says he pulled up to a four-way stop. He noticed those animals nearby. At first, he assumed that the smaller animal was a horse with a coat on, but as he got closer, he realized it was actually a zebra. The hilarious encounter was posted to TikTok by McCartney and is racking up millions of views. That was in Illinois. And now to a video that really has the internet buzzing. A homeowner was in for a surprise when she woke up to the sound of running water.

And when she followed it to the bathroom, she found her dog there, River, appropriately named River, not only running his own bath water, but standing in the bath as well. She said this is the second time this week she has found River in the bathtub. I guess it's safe to say he was just trying to help his owner save some time and tell her that he would like a bat. Very cute. Now to a TikTok creator who's not just going viral. but taking the national stage on behalf of Dr. Pepper. Romeo Bingham shared the initial jingle idea last month,

saying it was posted impulsively, but that jingle soon went viral. Dr. Pepper, baby, is good and nice. So that video blew up, getting the attention of the real Dr. Pepper, who is now licensing the jingle for this ad that ran during the college football national championship. Dr. Pepper says it will work with Bingham on more content in the coming months. And she's also got the attention of Popeye, Subway, and more that are asking her to make them a jingle as well.

So good for her. That is real news. Back to you. It is catchy. Very catchy. Good for her. All right, well check this out. A vibrant Aurora display over New Hampshire. New video showing reds, yellows, and green lights dazzling in the New England night sky. It was part of an intense geomagnetic storm earlier this week that pushed into the U.S. Boy, that is a bucketless theme. Boy, it's so beautiful. Every time dawn that they say, ooh, maybe in our area we might be able to see it,

I either can't stay up late or it's cloudy. So maybe one of these days. We've been having a lot of the storms reaching really far south. It's been really rare. It's been an active, we're in one of those active solar years. And we'll talk more about that

in the coming days and weeks, because I don't think we're done yet. I think we'll see a few more opportunities possibly. Let's talk about what we're watching tonight, and that is that winter storm watch, in effect for most of the viewing area. If you're wondering in Mecklenburg County and Northampton County, why aren't we under one just yet? You're under a different National Weather Service office. So my guess is they'll put you under one eventually, just not yet.

But that would extend up into southern Virginia. Let's talk about where we are in the winter storm forecasting pattern. Right now we're kind of on that line from two to four or four to six days out, type and timing, looking more like we'll see snow, freezing rain and sleet as far as when. the timing is starting to narrow down. It looks like it begins Saturday, lunchtime on. Later in the day, it looks better for that, and then it could continue through Sunday night.

As far as what we're seeing out there right now, not much. Live look at first alert Doppler net scanning the skies were dry across our part of the Carolinas. Tonight we will drop into the 30s for those, but not as cold as it was last night. Last night we had teens and 20s. Tonight will stay above freezing across the region under a mostly cloudy sky.

Satellite radar is clear and dry for now. Now we zoom it out. This is the next system that would bring us a chance of rain on Friday. This is not the big weather maker. That one just starting to come on shore out here in California. So a long ways to go for it to cross the country and work in here as we head toward the weekend. Let's talk about tomorrow. If we didn't have a big storm on the horizon, tomorrow would be the day to talk about because we'll be at 60 tomorrow. Sunshine, lots of it. Good day to get prepared for a winter storm. Take down branches. It could be a problem. Get to the store. Get your supplies and ready to go. Tomorrow is the day to do it. Don't waste it. That seven-day forecast showing temperatures then cooling off after tomorrow. Rain in on Friday, 47, Saturday, wintry mix begins Saturday, Sunday, Monday, all first alert days. If we see ice and the potential is there to see a lot of ice because those numbers don't climb above freezing until maybe on Monday, that ice could stick around Tuesday and Wednesday, even though there won't be anything falling from the sky. It could be problematic as well. We'll talk more about that winter storm coming up at 5 o'clock.

Let's find out what else is coming up at 5 o'clock. For that, we check in with Stephen Lauren. Hi, Don, thank you. As we've been showing you this hour, today is the day for our sixth annual blood drive, and the need is greater than ever. Yeah, every two seconds, a need for blood arises in the U.S., and today we are trying to help meet that need. Also coming up here are reporters at three different locations across the triangle

where you can roll up your sleeve until 6 o'clock tonight. Happening right now, Isaiah Ross testifying in his own defense for the very first time we're learning more from the gunmen about how those three teenagers ended up in a truck together. What Ross told jurors about a private message one of the victims sent him leading up to that night. Really compelling testimony underway in Hillsboro right now. And a big game tonight at the Dean Dome. UNC hosting Notre Dame at home. Both teams trying to bounce back the tar heels coming off back to back upset losses. Trey Miles live at the Dean Dome ahead of the tip off tonight. And the Salvation Army has collected thousands of coats for the needy in their annual coat drive. So today was the chance for those in need to pick up a new winter coat just in time for this winter storm that's moving into the triangle this weekend.

and what organizers are saying about why this event is so important. And we continue to follow the case of Austin Thompson in a Raleigh courtroom today. Teenager entering a guilty plea, avoiding a trial for killing five people in the Headingham neighborhood. In October of 2022, we'll have live team coverage inside and outside the courtroom in Raleigh. We'll have that reaction when we see you here in a few minutes for the news at five. All right. So you guys at the top of the hour. Thank you.

Still ahead here at 4. A new professional sports team coming to the Bull City. That's right. We're talking about the Carolina Blaze. Coming up after the break, we'll take you inside the special of. event Durham leaders held today welcoming the team.