ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - January 8, 2026

Episode Date: January 8, 2026

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Coming up on eyewitness news at 4 o'clock breaking news developments in the deadly Minneapolis ice shooting. Tensions across the country are high after the incident, including here in the triangle, we have reaction from people living in Raleigh. And we're learning more about the criminal history of the man charged with killing Raleigh teacher Zoe Welsh, what the Durham County DA's office is saying about the Ryan Camacho case is there. Plus, a change is coming to the Bull City. After 25 years of service with the DPD, police chief Patrice Andrews announced her retirement. Eyewitness News at 4 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 eyewitness news.

Right now at 4 breaking new developments in Minneapolis where tensions are very high after a woman was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent. Minnesota Governor Tim Walls calling for ICE agents to leave. the city. Leave Minnesota alone. We're exhausted as Minnesotans. We're exhausted as Americans. And this relentless assault on Minnesota for whatever reason is just cruel now. But leave my people alone. Leave our state alone. And you can see their protesters clashing with agents today. The shooting also sparking large protests across the nation. People in Chicago and New York City, March in the streets demanding change and calling on the Trump administration to stop deploying

ICE agents to cities. The Trump administration is calling the shooting in Minneapolis justified, saying the agent was protecting himself while many people across the country are calling it murder. Thanks for joining us here for your news at four. I'm Amber Repenta. And I'm Lauren Johnson in for Barbara. We have live team coverage this afternoon. Michael Perchick is in Raleigh where community members are speaking out after that shooting. Steve Daniels is in the breaking news center with the latest developments. Let's start with Steve. Hi. about that shooting. The woman who was killed was 37-year-old Nicole Good. She was a mother who was in her car at the time of the shooting. We want to warn you the video showing it as it happened may be disturbing to watch. You can see here federal agents shouting demands during some kind of roadblock and then an ICE agent grabs the door and that's when Good backs up and then drives forward. An immigration agent firing several rounds at the vehicle killing good. We know the agent involved was a member of the ICE special response team according to a law enforcement official and he is based in Minneapolis. The SRT is deployed for high. profile situations and in tactical situations. They're highly trained. According to current and former

officials, the agent has 10 years of experience. The DHS secretary, Christy Noam, has said the shooting was justified and the agent's life was at risk. Noam also shared today she's not opposed to sending more federal officers there to Minneapolis. We've got thousands of officers there and I'm not opposed to sending more if necessary to keep people safe. The White House has said it plans on keeping federal agents in the Twin Cities for now. And the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension today, learning it would not be involved in the investigation, which is being led by the FBI. And in Minneapolis this afternoon, protesters gathered outside the federal building that's serving as a major base for the operation. They shouted

no more ICE as border patrol officers pushed them back and also use pepper spray and tear gas on those protesters in Minneapolis this afternoon, Lauren. All right. Steve, thank you. And happening now, people in Raleigh speaking out opposing the actions of ICE following yesterday's deadly shooting in Minneapolis of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Michael Perchick joins us live and Michael, tell us about the conversations you've had with people here today. Good afternoon, Lauren. We spoke with a local immigrants rights group this afternoon, sharing their reaction to the shooting in Minnesota. The death of Minnesota mother Renee Good captured on camera, sparking demonstrations across the country. This is not something that should

ever happen. Our communities should not live in fear and terror of being attacked by an unchecked federal immigration agency. Veronica Aguilar with El Pueblo says, immigration enforcement actions, including here in the triangle of heightened tensions. Because of the escalating way in which ICE had been operating with no restraints, with no accountability, it is not surprising that it reached this level. Ice agents were deployed in Minneapolis when they approached Good, who was in the driver's seat of an SUV. A witness says it appeared good was trying to adjust her car and move it from the street. When she started to accelerate, an agent began to yelling at her before firing multiple

shots striking and killing her. This appears as an attempt to kill or to cause bodily harm to agents, an act of domestic terrorism. The ICE officer fearing for his life and the other officers around him and the safety of the public fired defensive shots. But leaders in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Fry, have dismissed that narrative, placing the blame solely on ice. This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying. And coming up at five, we speak with the ACLU of North Carolina. Plus, a criminologist gives his insight on the video of that shooting. In Raleigh, I'm Michael Purchick.

ABC 11, eyewitness news. Michael, thank you. And coming up at 4. At 4.30, ABC's Armando Garcia joins us live from Minneapolis with more on this breaking news story. New here at 4, we're hearing from the Durham District Attorney's Office about the man charged in the murder of Raleigh school teacher Zoe Welsh. Welsh was killed over the weekend when police say Ryan Camacho broke into her home and attacked and killed her. Since then, we've learned Camacho had several criminal cases in Durham, including a woman who told us he broke into her home not once but twice. We've reached out to the Durham DA's office to ask about how those cases were handled.

DA Satana DeBerry says she shared the statement with us saying about Camacho's history. A review of the cases shows that the evidence in Mr. Camacho's cases did not support felony conviction. The DA's office went on to say Mr. Camacho has allegedly committed a horrible crime. However, the 2021 and 24 cases were handled appropriately based on the information and evidence available at that time. The DA's office says he did serve time for those cases. We also talked to a Raleigh man who says he had a series of terrifying run-ins with Camacho a decade ago. You can look for his story and are four reporting on the murder of Zoe Welsh right now on ABC11.com. Well, let's turn now the first alert weather on this Thursday.

This was the view here of downtown Durham today from our drone 11. Skies in the Bull City are clear right now. But we are watching for some rain heading our way this weekend. Don is here now with the check of that forecast. High big weather. And good evening to you. We have made a Saturday a first alert day. Really the best chance for severe storms will be west of us on Saturday.

But we will have to watch for some of those working in. The latest modeling showing most of the showers and storms staying to the north. and west, at least through the morning hours. The problem is in the afternoon, Charlotte will see thunderstorms, and they've got that little football game going on between the Panthers and the ramp. So if you're headed out to that, just know that could be a problem for you. Around here tonight, we're not seeing anything on radar, live look into downtown Raleigh. 62 right now, cloudy and in east-southeast wind at 7. 63 Raleigh, Carrie, 62 for you, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Fuqua, 61, Zebulon, 60 in Rollsville. You go north, 58 in Oxford.

63 in Rocky Mount, 63 Irwin and 64 of Fayetteville. So let's first alert you to that evening ahead. If you've got plans outside tonight, temperatures stay in the 50s all the way through 10 o'clock tonight by 11. We're down to 48 degrees. We'll talk more about those rain chances this weekend and cooler temps in the seven-day forecast coming up in just a bit. Amber. All right.

See you soon with more, Don. Thanks. We're following some breaking news now at 4 o'clock. A crash knocking down power lines in Durham. Chopper 11 flying over the scene here. This is NC-54 right near Falcon Bridge Road. Police say a car crashed into a power pole, and you can see from the chopper shot, there are several power lines that are down. Both directions of NC-54 are now closed from Chapel Hill to Farrington Road.

It is not clear when the road will reopen. No one was seriously hurt. Right now at 4, Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews is retiring after 25 years of service. Andrews announced her retirement today, saying she will officially retire on May 1st, 5. following a career law enforcement spanning nearly three decades. Akela Davis is in Durham with reaction from people who live in the Durham community. Akela, this is a major shakeup for the city. Major shakeup indeed, Lauren, listen.

Durham Police Chief, Police Andrew, certainly her retirement, I should say, certainly has the community talking, many people wondering what will happen next and who will feel the position. I think she's done well as good as any of the other police chiefs that will have. had. I think she's done okay. Nothing to really write home about, but I thought she did okay. But there could be improvements. Fresh reaction from Durham residents as police chief Patrice Andrews announces her retirement. She has a combined 25 years of service with the Bull City Police Department serving in various roles. Her retirement comes as the third quarter crime report shows a nearly 18% decrease in violent crime across the Bull City in comparison to last year.

property crime is also down 2%. The city says it's deeply grateful for her years of dedicated public service to the community. We have an opportunity to celebrate a long career of a person who's been committed to their community, a person who's been committed to public service,

a person who's born and raised right here in Durham who has protected and taken care of this city. And ahead at 5, the process ahead for selecting a new police chief what the mayor is telling us. Reporting live in Durham, Akela Davis, ABC 11, eyewitness news.

Akela, C-U-F-5 with more from the Bull City and the changes ahead. Thank you. Now to some other local headlines this Thursday in your speed feed first. Two men now in custody after a shot was fired at Raleigh police officers. This was breaking news on Tuesday. Police say they were trying to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Newbern Avenue and Corporation Parkway. As officers approached, they say 21-year-old Jose Colado got out of a Honda Accord armed with a gun and then ran. They say that is when he dropped the gun and it discharged upon impact.

The driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Norville Young drove off. Police say both men are now in custody. One adult, five kids and two dogs were forced out of their home in Durham because of a fire. The fire department responded to South Miami Boulevard this afternoon where they found smoke coming from the roof. The fire was quickly put out. No one was hurt. The Red Cross has been called in to help the family and the cause of that fire is still under investigation. In Durham County, three family members were hurt after an attack involving their dog.

It happened around 3 o'clock this morning along Main Street. The family called 911, saying that their dog had become aggressive after getting spooked by something outside. All three family members say they were bitten by the dog. First responders were able to secure the dog when they arrived on scene, and the family has now surrendered their dog to animal services. And the Kerry Town Council is meeting tonight for the first time since the resignation of Kerry's town manager, Sean Stiegel stepped down back on December the 13th after his

use of taxpayer dollars was called into question. Open records request revealed financial mismanagement, including a land deal that was granted without permission and unapproved funding for a council member's master's degree. The town council will meet at 5 and 630. Look for reports from Tom George ahead here at 5 o'clock. That's your Thursday speed feed, Lauren, back to you. Amber, thank you. Still ahead. New pictures of the U.S. Coast Guard escorting one of those seized oil tankers yesterday. What President Trump is now saying about that operation. And our dry spell continues what the latest drought monitor is revealing for our area and what experts say it could mean for farmers. And Don, checking out that traffic

outside. Yeah, we're taking a live look. I-40, New Bern Avenue right now and traffic moving along on both sides just fine. As we head to break here, your traffic hotspots brought to you by your 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 gott will be up around 30 miles an hour your first alert forecast team ABC 11 eyewitness news we're back now with new details about the u.s coast guard escorting one of the oil tankers seized yesterday and it comes as in the u.s senate today five Republicans broke from President Trump and voted in favor of a resolution, limiting his ability

to conduct more attacks against Venezuela. ABC's Perry Russell is in Washington. New images show the U.S. Coast Guard escorting the M.T. Sophia after it was seized in the Caribbean, one of two tankers seized yesterday. The other, the Bella won, evading the U.S. military for weeks. Records now show it was recently renamed and claimed by Russia, with his crew painting a Russian flag on the side of the ship. We did see two Russian military aircraft overfly the Coast Guard cutter in the North Atlantic

that was escorting the Bella One. At no time was the Coast Guard concerned at all about Russian military presence. Both tankers are linked to Venezuela. President Trump says he expects the U.S. will be running Venezuela and extracting from its oil reserves for years. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump says, we're going to be using oil and we're going to be taking oil. We're getting oil prices down.

And we're going to be giving money to Venezuela, which they desperately need. Trump acknowledging it will take years to revive the country's neglected oil sector. This isn't about drugs. The administration hardly even mentions that excuse anymore. This isn't about democracy or human rights. They have no plan here. They basically replace one dictator with another. This is about oil. The Senate today advancing a war powers resolution that would block the U.S. military from engaging in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. The resolution still has to go up for a final vote and would have to be signed by President Trump.

It's not going to change anything about how we conduct foreign policy over the next couple of weeks, the next couple of months. Five Republicans breaking from Trump and voting in favor of the resolution, including Senator Josh Hawley. But to me, this is a prospective thing. If going forward, DOD recommends to him, we need to put troops on the ground of Venezuela. And yesterday's Secretary of Ruby said they don't want to do that, but it is an option. If that should happen, then I think Congress would have to be on the hope for that.

President Trump says today's vote impedes his authority as commander-in-chief, and he calls the War Powers Act unconstitutional. Perry Russum, ABC News, Washington. Perry, thank you. Utah police are searching for suspects after gunfire erupts in a Salt Lake City Church. Authorities say a fight broke out outside a funeral with at least eight people being hit. Two of the victims were pronounced dead. Some of the others were taken to a local hospital with three people reported to be in critical condition. Police say the shooter or shooters remain at large, but some tips have been.

coming in, the FBI's area field office said it has helped with that investigation. Natural disasters across the United States caused about $115 billion in damage last year. Today, the nonprofit group Climate Central released new data reporting a record 21 thunderstorms hit the United States in 2025, each causing at least a billion dollars in damage. And wildfires in Southern California accounted for more than half of the year's total damage. The report said 2025 was the least costliest year for disasters since 2019. And interestingly, the report did not include damage costs from hurricanes since not a single hurricane hit the U.S. last year. New at Ford, the latest drought numbers have been released.

There is now a moderate drought in every county of our viewing area. The severe drought showing up in several areas in the darker brown color. Eyewitness news spoke to Brad Thompson from the NC Department of Agriculture on the impact for farmers. Farmers and growers are basically at the mercy of the weather for the most part. Your vegetable guys and your fruit guys, especially strawberry growers, they mostly, they have a lot of their crops on plastic culture systems, so they have drip irrigation that's already out there so they can run irrigation if it starts to get dry underneath those beds. But for your road crop guys, they're kind of at the mercy of what the weather sends. Thompson says it's still early in the year to know for sure if farmers will see the impact of that drought. Well, it's good to know our strawberries are safe, Amber, because I put those in smoothies every day.

That I have a protein smoothie. And North Carolina strawberries are fantastic. I love Strawberry Day at the North Carolina State Fair. Let's talk a little bit more about just how dry it's been, though, because it really has been a long stretch. If we look at rain versus average, just at RDU, but that gives us at least one point. that we can look at. October, we were an inch below average. Two inches below average, November, December, an inch and in a quarter or more.

And so far, January, we're running almost an inch below. And we just haven't seen heavy rainfall. I know last Saturday was kind of damp and dreary, but the total rain amount was minimal. And unfortunately, the rain we're going to see this weekend, again, half inch or less. Live look on our first alert, Doppler net. We're dry out there tonight. We look alive. We see some blue skies poking through mutual tower sky.

ICAM, 62 degrees right now it is cloudy on an east-southeast wind at 7. Zebulins at 61, 63 in Clayton and Willow Spring, 62 in Morrisville and Chapel Hill, 58, Oxford, 59, Lewisburg, 63 in Rocky Mounts, 61 over in Siler City, 62 in Pinehurst, 64 Fayetteville, and 66 in Clinton. Tonight we'll drop into the 40s for lows. Those clouds will hang tough up above. We see a lot of moisture at the surface, so we'd be surprised to see some patchy, thick fog tomorrow. morning. 40 in Henderson, 43 will be your overnight low in Raleigh. 46 in Fayville. Sunrise happens tomorrow morning around 726. Let's take a look at what's happening, the latest satellite radar composite. We just see clouds working there. We don't have any moisture at the surface. And unfortunately, drought makes drought because the air is so dry over the soil that even if you do see rain, that air sucks it up before it can become something. Now in the Midwest, they're getting hit with heavy rain. Parts of Iowa, Missouri.

into Illinois tonight some thunderstorms not seeing any severe thunderstorms but they could there is a risk out there Omaha is kind of in the middle of this and they'll see snow working in on the back side closer to home your first alert predictor forecast model is we should head to 11 o'clock tonight we'll see the mostly cloudy skies we'll see temperatures in the 50s then tomorrow morning patchy fog best chance will be off to the west to start your Friday as we go into the afternoon we'll see those temperatures though on a southwest wind again pushing up near 7 degrees. Forecasts looks like this for tomorrow. 71 degrees in Raleigh, 68 in Durham. 74 out your door under a cloudy sky in Fayetteville. That's seven-day forecast showing temperatures continuing to stay a mile. 74 on Saturday. That is a first alert day, Sunday 59, Monday 49. Tuesday, 55. We'll stay in the 50s on into next week. But just know that tomorrow, we've got lots of clouds around and it still be warm. And at this point, it is a first alert day because we're under a marginal risk over Western counties.

But I think the bigger chance for severe weather will be out toward Charlotte. We'll keep an update on that as we head through the day tomorrow. Ladies. And that's unfortunate since the game is going to be played in Charlotte. A lot of fans are probably going to the stadium. There may be a thunderbreak. Okay. Don, thank you.

Keep that in mind. Well, we're asking you to join us this weekend for an eyewitness special, your first alert to winter. So we're breaking down what to expect for the rest of these winter months. Plus, we go one-on-one with the leader of Wake County schools to answer the question. Every parent asks when winter weather rolls in. How do they decide when to keep schools open and when to shut them down? You see, Don, they're asking a tough question. Everyone wants to know, Don, that answer and more this Saturday here at 7 p.m. right here on eyewitness news.

Next year of four, flying without a real ID will soon cost you. Airports across the state announcing that they are charging fees for passengers without a real ID starting next month. What you need to know before catching a flight. And if you're overwhelmed with holiday bills, you might get some help from an unlikely source. The IRS will tell you when you can officially start filing your taxes. Time now for some news you can use this Thursday. North Carolina Travelers without a real ID will have to pay a $45 fee starting February 1st. The fee is for identity verification before they get to the TSA checkpoint. The verification will cover a 10-day travel period. So travelers who plan to return have a return

flight that is within that 10-day period will pay the fee once for both flights. And Ford is aiming to let its cars take over some of your driving in the next couple of years. The carmaker says it plans to bring what is known as Level 3 driver assistance to vehicles in 2028. That would allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road completely, but only on certain highways. And the IRS will start accepting tax returns on January the 26th. That could get you a refund faster if you are due one. If you owe or don't need your refund right away, you still have until April 15th to file. And it's worth it to be a little extra diligent this year, though. There have been several changes to the tax code, and there's a good chance. At least

one of them might affect you. And that's news you can use. Lauren, over to you. All right, Amber, thank you. Coming up on Iowa News News at 4, we continue to file the latest out of Minneapolis, a clash between protesters and law enforcement right outside of federal building leaving the city on edge. We have live coverage from Minneapolis coming up after the break. And Barbara Gibbs joins us now from

the thousands of runners are planning to run through the Magic Kingdom this weekend. Hey Barbara. Hey, Lauren, yes, tens of thousands of people are here for the 33rd annual Disney World Marathon and where it's a Raleigh woman who's going to participate in an amazing challenge this weekend.

And then we'll tell you about it coming up. We continue to follow the latest from Minneapolis protests across the city are growing after a woman was shot and killed by ICE agents yesterday. The Trump administration saying the agent was protecting himself while many in the community are just calling it murder. And now outrage from Minnesota lawmakers after the state was excluded from the investigation into this tragic event. Armando Garcia is joining us now live from Minneapolis. So Armando, we know tensions are high right now in the city. Lauren and Aber, thousands of people, as you can see, are pouring in to pay their respects at this memorial just a few feet away from the scene of the shooting as protesters demand that ice leave the city immediately. Dozens of people circled around a memorial of flowers today at the scene of the tragic deadly shooting in Minneapolis Wednesday involving federal agents. The group praying for 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. She was behind the wheel of this

Maroon Honda SUV. This disturbing video posted on X causing public outrage. Federal agent shouting demands as an ICE agent grabs the door. Good backs up, then drives forward, an immigration agent firing multiple rounds at the vehicle, killing Good. We recognize that he acted according to his training. He acted appropriately to perfect his life and the life of his colleagues and fellow law enforcement officers that were there in people that were surrounding. According to a law enforcement official, the agent involved is a member of ICE's special response team deployed for high profile and tactical situations. The agent has 10 years of experience, according to a source. That woman was there to interfere with a legitimate

law enforcement operation. She was trying to ram this guy with her car. He shot back. He defended himself. Clashes today between protesters and law enforcement outside a federal building. Many in the community demanding justice. What we see on that camera is murder that is being justified by the highest office of this nation. We will not allow it. Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension today, learning it would not be involved in the investigation, which would be led solely by the FBI.

It feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome. And I say that only because people in positions of power have already passed judgment. And the White House saying today that DHS will continue to operate on the ground here in Minneapolis. ABC 11 eyewitness news. All right. Armando Garcia reporting force. Armando, thank you. And we'll continue to follow the latest news from Minneapolis.

And then look for the latest from ABC News at 630 on World News tonight with David Muir. Back here at home, Newton Grove Police Chief Greg Warren facing a Samson County judge today. Warren appeared in person in the courtroom in shackles. He's facing seven felony charges, including indecent liberties with a minor and secret peeping. Prosecutors say the charges stem from 2023 when Warren allegedly took photos of a minor who prosecutors say has a family connection to him and then kept them hidden in a folder. The photographs were held in a hidden folder on the defendant's phone. She was very upset, obviously, when she saw photos.

Later, he did make admissions to a family member and law enforcement that he, in fact, not only possessed those photographs, but took the pictures while the victim was sleeping. Warren, who has served the town of Newton Grove as police chief for seven years, stood in the courtroom with his family sitting behind him. The public defender asked the judge to set a bond, citing his ties to the community and that he has no criminal history. However, prosecutors say he is a risk regardless of his position in the community. The judge ultimately set no bond for Warren. His next court hearing is on January the 15th. Town leaders say police operations will continue without interruption and public safety services remain fully operational.

Now to some other headlines in your speed feet. First, the town of Garner has named its next chief of the fire rescue department. Interim fire chief Barrett Penny will officially take over the role next week on January 12th. He's been with the department since 1998 and has served in many roles, including lieutenant and captain. An official swearing-in ceremony will be held for Penny on January 20th. Happening today, a public hearing in Garner focused on a new WakeMed hospital. The town's board of adjustment hearing comments over the new hospital's design, including transparency, roof, and bicycle parking. Tonight's public hearing begins at 7 o'clock in council chambers at Garner Town Hall.

Also happening today the first community meeting on the future of Liggin-Madnut Middle School. school in Raleigh, White County Schools deciding whether to renovate the current building or build a new one. The plan has drawn some backlash from the community with some saying the former all-black school is worth preserving. Tonight's meeting starts at 6 o'clock at that school. That is your speed feed. Amber, back to you. All right, Lauren, thank you. Well, let's go now to Orlando. We're taking you live right now to Walt Disney World, a big party underway at the most magical place on earth. And look who's in the middle of it. It's the 30thrd annual Walt Disney World Marathon weekend by Run Disney. Barbara Gibbs is live as you can see there in Orlando

Florida with more on the fun and Barbara you are taking part in this as well. That is right Amber and you see here I'm live of the iconic Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Orlando Florida where tens of thousands of runners are also here to run Disney puts on four races in four days 5k 10k that's tomorrow and then Saturday's a half marathon Sunday is the full marathon. There's also something called a dopey challenge, which is not dopey at all. It's running all four of them. That's almost 50 miles, 48.6 miles in four days, and a Raleigh woman is here doing it. Melissa Sledge discovered running coming out of a very dark time in her life.

I lost both my parents in 2020 and 2021. So 2022 was my way to kind of get out there. Run Disney was an event that I saw. I told my mom about three weeks before she passed that I wanted do it, not knowing that she was obviously going to pass away. And she's been running ever since, in memory of her parents, while raising money for Kelsey's hope, an organization granting trips and wishes for children with cancer, as well as nursing scholarships for adults. Knowing that every mile I run is for a kid to be able to go and experience Disney or go meet their favorite celebrity is huge. Something else impressive? This weekend, Melissa is taking on Run Disney's Dopey Challenge. She is running all four races. If you can walk a mile,

then you can walk two, you can walk three. You can add in some run. And then before you know it, you can go run 48.6 miles over four days and collect money for a good cause. It's fantastic. It is more than fantastic. Good for you, Melissa. You're such an inspiration. Now, the 5K started today. Melissa ran that. Tomorrow she's going to run the 10K. I'm going to run the 10K too. And just like Melissa and so many other runners here. I'm doing it for a very special, important reason. And I'm going to share a little bit of that with you tomorrow. Right here at the same time on IWitness News at 4.

But for now, I'm live at Walt Disney World. Barbara Gibbs, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Having a magical time wearing her mini bow and all. Barbara's so good to see you. I know you're running bright and early. And then you said you're going to have your story running at 4. But we want to point out to, for everyone, today is Barbara's 25th anniversary. with ABC 11, Disney, WTVB, so she is representing and celebrating it in such a great way.

What a milestone. We're so lucky to have you, Barbara. Thank you so much. I got to meet the boss today. Mickey Mouse, so I may post that picture. I know. I got the text, and I said, the boss. That's right, the boss.

Well, you run like a boss tomorrow morning, bright and early. We're all cheering for you, and we'll follow your social. Congrats. Thank you. I thank. What a milestone. I text her earlier. 25 years. I mean, that's a long time to do anything. Anything. I told her you're inspiring for running

because I'm only doing that if I'm being chased, Bart Rush. I know. She's having a good time. It's true. All right, still to come, we're learning new details about the New Year's Eve terror plot and Mint Hill. What the suspect's lawyer is now arguing about the attack and the evidence found in his room. Plus, a slogan on New South Carolina license plate to sparking a public debate over history. We'll tell you why after the break. Covering the Carolinas now new details in the New Year's Eve terror plot case. In a 40-page criminal complaint filed by the federal government, FBI agents alleged Christian Sturdivant planned to carry out a terrorist attack on New Year's Eve at the Harris Teeter and Burger King and Mint Hill. They say social media post, Sturdivant shared to TikTok showed him holding what they're saying are tactical gloves and a vest with verses from the Quran and captions that read Janama or hell awaits nonbelievers.

His attorney says the tactical gloves and Kevlar vests found in Sturdivant's room were not what prosecutors made them out to be. Those were workout gloves that he got from Walmart. The ballistic vest and a tag that said made with Kevlar, that was built with Kevlar. Those are Kevlar fibers sewing the jacket together so that it's stronger. It had nothing to do with bulletproof protection. According to ABC affiliate WSOC in an interview, Sturteamont told law enforcement he wanted to attack the Mint Hill Harris Teeter because his grandfather worked there and he wanted to kill him after his grandfather took away his PlayStation and stole those knives and hammers from his church and

uncle's house. He also told them he wanted to kill people since the fifth grade and liked ISIS because it gave him a sense of belonging. Meanwhile, the mother of a man shot and killed by Pineville Police has now filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. It happened at a food line grocery store back in May of 2024. Officers shot dinner, Ms. Bodden after responding to a shoplifting call at the store, they say he tried to grab an officer's weapon during his arrest. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney ruled the shooting justified and did not file charges against the officers.

Bodden's mother says her son was having a mental health crisis and was unarmed when he was shot. She is now seeking damages for wrongful death, excessive force, failure to intervene, and constitutional violations. In South Carolina, a new standardized license plate that reads where the Revolutionary War was won. is causing some debate. It's meant to honor the nation's 250th anniversary.

However, some are arguing whether or not the Revolutionary War was won in South Carolina or Yorktown. According to the state's DMV, the South Carolina 250 commission designed the plate at the direction of the South Carolina General Assembly who authorized the plate in law. The new plates are available now in South Carolina and will replace previous plates issued by the state.

Still to come, big debate, Raleigh or Raleigh, the unique pronunciation of the state. The city's named by former NFL player, Chad Ochosinko Johnson, that has gone viral on the internet. All right, look at that. A family is in for surprise when they wake up and find out one, but two animals wandering through their backyard. That story is next in real news. New this afternoon, families with children receiving care at Duke Children's Hospital now have a new space to find comfort and support just steps away from their child's bed. side. Duke Health and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Triangle celebrated a ribbon cutting

to open the Ronald McDonald House family room. It's located on the second floor of the central tower lobby. It's meant to be a peaceful space giving parents and caregivers a place to rest and recharge. There's free coffee, snacks, and more. The original family room closed during the pandemic. All right, it's time for today's top trending stories in real news. First, a man had a lucky escape after a kayak he was in, breaks in two during a daring In the UK, watch as the man is being dragged behind a car on an icy road. You can see him sitting in that kayak, grabbing a hold of two straps, before the car starts to accelerate, pulling him along, that frozen road really fast.

Luckily, the man suffered no injuries in that incident, but the same cannot be said for the kayak breaks in two. All right, two dogs are picking up Buzz on the internet with their backyard game. It's Bell and her younger brother Buzz, playing a the game of Tetherball. Check out Bell trying to show Buzz the ropes, teaching them how to play the game. Buzz appears to be a, you know, pretty fast learner and watch as he tries to hit the ball. The owner say Tetherball is Bell's favorite game. And a fun fact, those cute little dogs are named after the family's favorite Disney characters, Bell from Beauty and the Beast,

Buzz from Buzz Lightyear. Okay, one woman was in for a shock when she woke up to a surprise visitor. woke up this morning and look what was in our backyard that's not supposed to be here. Da-da-da-da-da-da. That's right, miniature donkey. The homeowner says she found the animal and his horse friend wandering in her yard

when she called the police to help find the animal's home. They realized the pair actually didn't travel too far just a little down the road. You can see here, police escorting boogers and Tina. That's their names. Back to their rightful owners. Got to go home. The fun is over here, guys.

Yes. That's real news. Amber, back to you. You know, Lauren, what's in a name? Apparently a lot. All right. Let's talk about names new at four now, too. There is a debate over how to pronounce Raleigh.

After former NFL wide receiver, Chad Ochos Cinco Johnson, mispronounce the name of the city on his podcast, the nightcap earlier this week. Take a listen. I've been to Ralea. I've been to Ralea twice. You mean Raleigh. Ralea. Oh, okay.

Close enough. That's how you say it? How you say it again? Raleigh. You for real? Yeah. But it's spelled Raleigh-R-A-L-E-I-G-H. Raleigh.

That's Ralea. Close. Is it? Everyone's talking about this. That's Ocho Cinco, his co-host, NFL Hall of Fame, or Shannon Sharp. And he was corrected, but Ocho Cinco still wasn't very convinced. I love it. I think it's hysterical. I know. Don, where do you live now?

I'm almost afraid to say Holly Springs, because who knows how to say, Holly Springs? I don't know. Sprying is it? Ralea. Ralea. I'm going to say that for a few more months in 2020. Well, he was here. Remember, he was here for the soccer tournament, and he was live at 10. And if he comes again, we're going to have to get some answers.

Welcome back to Ralea. He was in Korea, then. Carrie, Kerry. Korea. So there you. Carrie. All right, let's show you what's happening out there as far as the walked-the-dog forecast. Hank is our dog today out of Clayton, a nice helper dog out there. Temperatures, service dog, temperatures falling through the 50s by 10 o'clock. We're down to 50 degrees. Live look on first alert Doppler, not seeing any rainfall out there tonight. We'll head in North Hills and check the temperature right now, 62. That is 10 degrees cooler than it was yesterday. A look at the next 12. hours. Partly cloudy, 62, but we will drop into the 40s tonight. When you wake up tomorrow morning, you may see some fog in Ralea. We'll talk more about that coming up. Let's find out what else is

coming up at 5 o'clock. For that. We check in with Steve Daniels. Hi, John, thanks very much. Coming up here, live at 5, people are gathering in communities across the area, demonstrating against that ice operation in Minnesota, where a woman died shot by an ice agent. The latest on those demonstrations across the area live as it happens in the hour ahead. And we continue our reporting on the murder of Raleigh school teacher Zoe Welsh, a man with a long criminal history. is charged with killing her in her home, as you know, and the case is now getting attention in Washington from a member of Congress here in North Carolina. And we have some breaking news. The Trump administration threatening to pull some highway funding from North Carolina claiming our state

is violating the law and issuing some driver's licenses to truck drivers. Also coming up here in Raleigh, students at Broughton High School holding a fundraising event in honor of former NC State Women's Basketball Coach Kay Yao who died from breast cancer in 2009. A lot of stories coming up, new at five. Lauren, I'll see you for all that and a lot more. in just a few minutes. All right, I will be here, Steve. Thank you. Still to come here at four o'clock,

the push to stop human trafficking. It's a topic that hits home, especially in Cumberland County. When we return, we're talking with a local judge who's part of a program devoted to empowering survivors.