ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - June 2, 2026

Episode Date: June 2, 2026

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Right now on eyewitness news at four, the Carolina hurricanes are just hours away from game one of the Stanley Cup final. The excitement has been building for days. Yeah, we need to take warning. Caniaks packing the Lenovo Center cheering on the home team for that puck drop at 8 o'clock tonight. And this game is 20 years in the making. If you don't have tickets to the game, you still have the best seat in the house. You can watch the game right here on ABC 11. We're getting you ready no matter where you are. 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. And right now at four, it is game day in Raleighwood. Look at that Chopper 11 flying live over the Lenovo Center in Raleigh as the Carolina Hurricanes getting ready to take on the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the Stanley Cup final. We've got the countdown clock running. We're up and ready. We're counting down to that puck drop at 8 o'clock tonight. We can't wait. Thanks for joining us here for eyewitness news at four. I'm Steve Daniels. And I'm Barbara Gibbs. It is day one for the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lenovo Center might be the place to be for sure it is, but we've got some

pretty good dibs right here on eyewitness news as well. We've got the game tonight. Let's go live to Amber Repenta at the Lenovo Center. Amber, I see you already got some fans around you. I know Barbara and Steve. Welcome to the Stanley. Cup game tonight. Game one. It is going off. I have some big little fans here. This is Emma. Hi. And your brother, what's your brother's name? Asher. Asher. And they are actually both hockey players, which that is part of the excitement when the canes get this far. It also gets, you know, the little ones excited. How long have you been playing? Two seasons. Two seasons. And how about your brother? Also. Asher's a little cameras shy here. What do you think of this? They've got a concert for you guys.

out here. We're going to have Stormy out here. Yeah. I think it's going to be very fun. Really fun. Who do you think is taking home this cup? Oh, the hurricane. Yes. And tell us who your favorite player is. Jarvis. Jarvie. All right. Well, have a good time. We're super excited. Go Cades. Go Cades. All right. And we do have I would as do's team coverage out here, or as we like to say, an ABC 11 takeover, because this is a mecca tonight for hockey. We have the players, the the concert, the watch parties from the triangle all the way to the sandhills. Let's begin with Dewan Hogarth. He is live outside the Lenovo Center with more on the excitement. It's super amazing vibe out here, Dewan.

Well, it's absolutely fantastic to be here. As we say, 20 years in the making. We're here in the parking lot of the Lenovo Center. I've got some Kaniacs here with me. And we are excited. This is a party. Happy birthday, by the way, Jamie. That's it.

We're celebrating two things. hopefully a game one win. But this is Anna birthday. This is Jennifer here. And walk me through this. This is what you call the tailgate is another level. This tailgate is another level. We have been doing this ever since the 2002, 2006.

But especially now, we are so excited 20 years later. We are finally back at the Stanley Cup finals. We have our shots skis over here. Well, actually, we call them slap shots because it's made out of a hockey stick. So we'll demonstrate that for you in just a minute. But yeah, we are taking it to another level. We are so excited to be here. And I can't believe that we're.

We're here for game one at the Stanley Cup. Well, it's a great group of folks that you all have out here. Everybody has represented. Some folks here, they've been watching all the way since the Hartford days that you were saying. So we are all excited for a game one win. And show us how it's done, Jennifer. So already getting, already getting the party started. Look, the party's already started out here, even though doors don't actually open for another couple of hours here.

So we are hoping for a game one win right here at the Lenovo Center. We're live here because we want the. We want the cup. We want the cup. Live from the Lenovo Center, Dwan Hoggard, ABC 11, I win this news. I'd say they nailed that shot, those shots, DeWan. All right, people know how to tailgate here. That is all part of the excitement. Love it. And there's a lot of homemade Stanley Cups out here as well. That's what's going on outside. And you can hear the music behind me at live concerts getting underway at around 5.30. So we'll have some of that. But right now, let's head inside where it is quiet. The towels are out, the ice is cold, and that is where we find a very smooth.

Trayvon Miles in there with that cold ice. How's it going? You know what, I don't know how to take that. It is a smooth day. It's going to be a smooth evening for us here. Inside the Lenovo Center, you know, I'm used to being outside and used to being around the fans, kind of like the polar opposite outside and inside right now. Outside, you hear fans behind you, behind DeWan, yelling and screaming.

Inside, it's kind of like the calm before the storm. We are right down here. ice level. If you've never been down here, such a fun advantage point, if you will, to see these players get on this ice. As you know right now, we're still about four hours out. Things looking very smooth on here right now, but we know in a few hours when the players take this ice for warm-ups, they're going to carve it up a little bit. And when fans get inside of this place a couple hours from now, it will be loud and rowdy. 20,000 of these rally towels. They've been the signature here for the Carolina Hurricanes. I'm going to show you really quickly,

TOW featuring Logan Stankovin, Jordan Stahl, Freddie Anderson, and Jackson Blake. They're on the towel right now. A lot being made of game one here. 7,288 days in between hosting a Stanley Cup final. And you can best believe fans are going to be ready. The inside is getting ready right now. I know this has been such a long run and they are hoping to get it done tonight. They're on the ice. And you are. right next to it. Love your vantage point, Tray. Always exciting. All right, let's come back outside here. Hey, there's big weather. A lot of people coming up and saying, hey, big weather, thanks so much for this great tailgating weather. Well, you know what? This is the exact outfit I wore when they won

the outdoor series. So I had to wear it again. I'm very superstitious when it comes to sports, and that's why I'm rocking this here tonight. Let's talk about the weather we're seeing because Mother Nature is showing off today. It's really a Chamber of Commerce kind of day. Look at these numbers. Normally we'd be in the mid to upper 80s. We are in the 70s right now, 78 Durham, 77 Raleigh, 77 Chapel Hill, and the low humidity is

noticeable. So if you are headed out to do some tailgating tonight, temperatures will stay in the 70s. By the time they drop the puck, we could be in the 60s, and after the game for the post-game celebrations, those numbers will be in the 60s dropping into the 50s. We got a great night ahead weather-wise. We're going to talk more about that. Plus, there's so much going on here. We'll first alert you to at all in your complete forecast,

along with team coverage. Cruise Medina's back there. He'll have your full seven-day forecast coming up in just a bit. Amber? I know it could be more perfect. The humidity is low. It's nice out here. We call this Don Chamber of Commerce weather, right? Very nice, especially for folks that may have driven or traveled here to watch the Cain's win tonight. All right, let's go to Jabeas Price, she always finds some fun fans. Last time, you found some folks with a Tiki Hut. What do you find it now? Amber, we are here on the South Plaza, so we're not over there by the Tiki Hut, but don't worry, I'll be back to see my friends that I met on Friday. But right now, we are in the place to be

where folks can watch the game on big screens. But before the game starts, they'll have the opportunity to get a concert here. And as you can see, the stage is set. You see it here, Stanley Cup final. We also have the DJ there on stage and we met some families who came out to watch the game as a part of the watch party tonight. This is Leah. She's here with her two daughters. They're here from Foucaverina. Leo, tell me why you wanted to come out tonight to do the watch party amongst fans here. Yeah, well, this is a monumental event, right? This is history in the making. It's been 20 years since we've made it to the cup. So just to be around that energy, I couldn't make it inside very unfortunately the prices were just a little bit too steep but we

wanted to be able to be here in the crowd and just feel that energy when when we win all right you said it all right girl didn't think you guys want to say about the canes and been cheering them all for them all right go canes they're gonna do amazing I I don't care what everyone else was saying about how they thought everyone was good the haps we're gonna win the third round but we're gonna make it we're gonna win the cup all right you heard it here from the fans we are going to win the I'll send it back over to you guys. I know. That's what everybody is saying out here. That is the vibe.

All right. And there is a lot more to this as far as we pull back and look at the bigger impact. It's much more than just about the game. This has a huge economic impact to this region. In fact, the state. Let's go to Elena Athens. She has more on that angle. Hi, Lena. Good afternoon.

So many watch parties are scheduled for this afternoon. And right now we're in Smoky Hollow. They are getting ready for a rather big party at that. Just here behind me, you'll know. notice that there is a crew working. They are in the process of putting up a 15-foot LED monitor, basically, where folks can watch this game tonight. Restaurant tours tell me the games have been tremendously helpful. On nights when they're ordinarily slow, like a Tuesday, places are expected to be packed. Madre restaurant is gearing up to host Caniacs for another massive

watch party. Roughly 800 people converge on Smokey Hollow's courtyard and cheered on the team. Madre brought in the LED wall. The Mediterranean tapas spot set up a snack bar, serving of food not typically on the menu, like hot dogs, popcorn, and chips. And we sold out. Thanks to the cane success and the run they've had, I've been overwhelmed by the reaction. Trophy 5 points is also scoring big, thanks to the Stanley Cup final. Reservations are almost booked up for tonight. Lids getting close. We're getting really, really busy. We've had to order more food, more flour, more ingredients for all of our pizza. we've also had to schedule more people to work these shifts, which has been great.

All right, so I also spoke with the director of the State Tourism Department, the estimate of how much money all of these games are bringing in for our state's economy. We'll have that coming up ahead at 530 for now live in Smokey Hollow in downtown Raleigh, Elena, Athens, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Already a big win for the economic impact. Elena, thank you. And by the way, a lot of people are saying that they couldn't get out here. So we do have you cover, though.

We will have that team coverage all throughout these Stanley Cup final games here, including pre-game specials each game night before the puck drops. Chasing the Cup airs at 730 right here on ABC 11 and wherever you stream. And remember the Stanley Cup final airs right here on ABC 11 as well. Game 1 starts at 8 o'clock tonight. There's a big countdown going on here. And all new this hour, you could also win tickets to see game 2 Thursday of the Stanley Cup finals to cheer on your Carolina Hurricanes in person. Just find the sweepstakes page on ABC11.com. You just click the link there for your chance to win.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday evening and our 5 o'clock newscast. So good luck. And we hope you make it out here for Thursday because Steve and Barbara, it is an amazing vibe out here. You hear the music? Yeah. Yes.

And the vibe's only going to get ramped up over the next couple hours. I was about to say it's just getting started. People doing shots off hockey sticks already. Wow. Let's find out what's in the first. shots what's powering that group of fans. That's someone's assignment. Okay, Amber, thank you. So much fun out there. All right, the Wake County School Board is considering raising student meal prices again. We'll break down what parents need to know. Plus. The family of a North Carolina

woman who was repeatedly punched during an arrest caught on video hires a very high profile civil rights attorney. The details on that coming up. And if you didn't know, we are counting down to game one of the Stanley Cup final. The Cains set to face off against the Vegas Golden and Nights in Raleigh tonight just hours away. We're live with team coverage at the Lenovo center. And the traffic is going to be a little tricky around the Lenovo center as we get into this evening. Right now we're taking a live look at I-40 and Airport Boulevard. That's eastbound traffic there on the right side of your screen. That is headed toward Raleigh, toward the Lenovo Center. But you really need to be aware because of the concert and the

game, things like Wade Avenue, I-40 in that area. That is going to be a tough place to be traveling this evening. Better know you'll see it when it starts to pack up at the Wade Avenue split off I-40. So be aware if you're headed that way. The ABC 11 First Alert Forecast Team is working to keep you safe. One is across the region. Some cloud cover starting to build up. That rain is going to push on through.

Cold air coming in. The First Alert Forecast Team. Only on ABC11, I Witness News. In Toronto, every arrival is a statement, and nothing says it better than this. Cadillac Optic was the number one selling luxury EV in Canada for 2025. Find your rhythm across a seamless 33-inch display and an immersive 19-speaker AKG surround audio system.

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We are Local News Weeknights 4 to 630 and 11. All right, it has been two decades since the Carolina Hurricanes played in their last Stanley Cup final. We all know what happened then. Yeah, you and I remember 2006. We've put our minds into rewind, haven't we? Embracing all that fun. Back in the day. On that, yeah. They won the Stanley Cup in 2006, bringing the Cup here to Raleigh. And the locker room has changed a lot since then. Kate Richardson continues our eyewitness news, live coverage right now. Kate, you're at the Lenovo Center. You talked to some of those players

yesterday checking in with them. How are they feeling going into the Stanley Cup final? The guys are feeling really good in their mindset has. hey, this is business as usual. However, you know that feeling the night before, a big trip, a big event, or you've got something really exciting going on and you lay in bed and you can't fall asleep. We've all been there before.

You can call it nerves, you can call it anxiety. You can say it's pure excitement. The Carolina Hurricanes aren't feeling any of that. For 21 of the 24 players on their roster, this is their first time playing in the Stanley Cup final. Getting rest and sleep is very important for anybody, especially if you're professional athlete. So in the locker room following morning skate,

I went around and asked the guys, did you sleep last night? Actually, I slept like a baby last night. It was a great night's sleep. As a kid, you dream about this stuff. As a player, you want it. And as a team, we've been knocking out this door for a while. And so to be here and have the opportunity to win the cup is huge.

And I think we're all just extremely excited for it. Yeah, actually, it was good sleep, to be honest. Wasn't worry at all. Talk kind of melatonin, you know, and just went to sleep. Even Sean Walker, the defenseman who had a baby during round two versus Philly, said he slept great last night. The Carolina Hurricanes are ready for this series to begin. They're ready to take the ice versus the Vegas Golden Night. To Trayvon Miles will join me at 5 o'clock to talk some more nitty gritty hockey of this matchup

because you guys, this is the moment this team has been waiting for. Back to you. Yeah. Fired up and well rested, right? That's the key. And very calm too. That's right. Yeah. Okay. Melatonin, maybe that's the secret to their success. I like how he said. Yeah. All right. Remember, the Stanley Cup final airs right here on ABC 11 game. One starts at 8 o'clock tonight.

And that's not all. ABC 11 is also your home for the NBA finals. Game 1, Knicks and Spurs, that's tomorrow night. 8 o'clock and 8.30 is the tip off right here on ABC11. You know, I think Don said it well. Mother Nature is kind of showing off outside right now as we're in the national spotlight for tonight's game. And we all watched as everybody's partying

outside the Lenovo Center. Could the weather get any better? I don't know about that. Seriously, like low humidity to start out the month of June. It's phenomenal. And going through the next several days, although it will heat up, it's going to take a while to do so. So we really won't see the extreme heat until Friday. That's when the 90s arrive.

And you can see how quickly we're going to jump into those 90s. But the rest of today, tomorrow, Thursday, those days are going to be pristine with the outdoor conditions, low humidity. And of course, the tipter is not overly hot for the time being. So heading to the Lenovo Center tonight, tipgers are going to be in the 70s. before the game. As the game wraps up, 59 degrees. So it actually turns a bit chilly toward the back half of the game. But for the tailgate conditions, as far as what's going on right now, it is perfect outside for tailgating. First alert predictor walks us through tonight, winds out of the north and a clear sky. That's going to drive our tipters all the way down into the 40s for areas like Roxborough, back toward Burlington and parts of Chatham County. As we look toward the triangle, the sand hills you should be in the low to mid-50s in the morning. So very cool for the this time of the year by the afternoon seeing highs jump into the 80s with a mostly sunny sky. Once again, that nice weather continues and we'll see it as we go into Thursday as well. Thursday's temperature still in the 50s in the morning afternoon highs will be well into the 80s.

So enjoy the refreshing feel. Make some plans to be outside. I know many kids are getting out of school soon or some of you might already be out of school. Would be great hitting the park, hitting a local greenway with these tipters in the 80s tomorrow. of course all the sunshine. Another good option is going to be the pool, especially as we get toward this weekend. So once those 90s come into play and high pressure builds over us, you're going to want ways to cool down. So thankfully this isn't a super humid heat, but it is a dry heat and 94 degrees on Friday. That's going to feel like a shock to the system after what we had this afternoon with highs only in the 70s. So tomorrow, we're still slightly below average,

but inching back to where we should be for this time of the month. Going into Thursday, five degrees above average. Friday, about 10 degrees above average, and that carries us since the weekend where it's going to stay very warm. So again, enjoy the cooler conditions while we have them. Live look outside, Raleighwood looking good this afternoon, 78 degrees, 72 in Roxborough, and 78 in Fayetteville. Tonight, tipters will be coolest to the northwest of the triangle with some 40s back toward Carborough and Roxborough. 50s elsewhere, 80s as we look into other parts of Central North Carolina for tomorrow. Aside from that, The 90s will continue all through this weekend.

Clouds increase on Sunday, Monday a chance of an isolated storm, and then cooling down by the time we get to the middle of next week. All right, it feels great outside. Let's check back in with Don and see what's going on out there at the Lenovo Center. Hey, Don. And good evening to your crews. It is beautiful out here tonight. Low humidity.

You're not roasting. Earlier, the brothers Osborne were on stage doing their sound checks. Sounded great. I'm looking forward to that performance tonight. But coming up at 7.30, during our hurricane special. I actually got to go into the locker room yesterday. It's funny, I've been in Raleigh now 15 years,

and you meet a lot of people over the years. And a guy I used to coach baseball with, our kids grew up together. That's how I first got to know him. When I first moved here, he was one of the first friends I had. He is now the head strength and conditioning coach for the Carolina Hurricanes. Never set out to do that, but ended up doing it and is doing an amazing job. And so coming up tonight at 730, We'll go behind the scenes for an exclusive look on what it takes to get the Keynes prepared for this Stanley Cup season.

He's one of the most positive men I've ever met in my life, and you'll get to meet him too coming up at 7.30. Right now, though, more on the day's headlines for that. We go back to Steve and Barbara. Don, Don, Don, Don, I have a question. Did your buddy put you through a workout out there? Did you put you through a cane's workout there? He knows that he's for athletes who are excelling an elite, and I'm not that way. Come on.

All right, looking forward to that story. That sounds great. Thank you, Don. All right, addressing ride share safety, the push to make sure stronger protections are in place for drivers and passengers. That story coming up. Also coming up, a neighbor in Wake County is charged according with police. Police say he shot a man as he was trying to stop an axe-wielding attack on another person.

What police are telling us in Raleigh about this incident behind that crime scene tape. And school lunch prices could go. go up again and Wake County will tell you how much and why. New here for a court hearing today for the now fired Shelby police officer West of Charlotte captured on video apparently punching a woman during an arrest. Former officer Carson Heider waived his right to a public defender. The 22-year-old was charged with assault after a homeowner captured Friday's incident on a security camera and then put it on social media.

The woman told the officer she was off her mental health medication and charges against her were dropped. Hyder turned himself in yesterday and was released on bond. the 34-year-old woman named Cherry Moore is now being represented by civil rights attorney Ben Cromp. It was unjustified, unnecessary, and constitution and just outright inhumane. And Ben Crump also adding no person in crisis should ever be subjected to this kind of treatment. Former Officer Hyder is due back in court on July the 29th. The Way County School Board meets today for discussions.

that could impact families district-wide, an increase to student meal prices is involved. Yeah, they're talking about raising the price for both the breakfast and lunch. Kids eat at school, about a 25% increase in those prices. Cindy Bay joins us live now with more on that proposal. What are you hearing, Cindy? Yeah, well, Steve, the board's work session covered a number of issues and topics so far, including a proposal to raise breakfast and lunch prices by 25 cents. According to district officials, this would help offset rising operation costs and avoid future budget shortfalls. As Wake County schools look ahead to the next school year, school meal costs are under review. The rising cost of ingredient impacts us.

So when we talk about cost increase and we're looking at food costs. The Wake County public school system is considering a 25 cent increase for both breakfast and lunch. If approved, breakfast at middle and high schools would cost $2.50, cents while elementary school lunches would rise to $4. Nationwide, the average price of a full-priced school lunch is just over $3. As food costs continue to rise, local partners are also working to help students access more food. The nonprofit towards zero waste, partners with the district to reduce cafeteria waste

and make unopened food items available to students who may need them. And so coming up, we'll take a closer look at how that partnership is helping students and what other issues school board members are expected to take up tonight in Carrie. Cindy Bay, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Right, Cindy, thank you. Right now, Carolina Hurricanes fans are gearing up for one. The first game of the Stanley Cup final. We'll take a look at the changes that gather for watch parties around the area.

Yeah, also coming up here, the latest on the breaking news we've been covering this afternoon in Durham, a collision between that Amtrak train right there and a big rig. We're breaking down what we know about the crash coming right up. Hey y'all, it's Kelly Clarkson with Wayfair. Ever order furniture online and wonder what if? Like, what if it doesn't hold up? That sofa was four days old. You should have ordered from Wayfair.

With Wayfair, there's no what if. Just style you love and quality you can trust. Visit Wayfair.ca. Wayfair, every style, every home. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. Right now at 4.30, the chase for the Cup. Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final right here in Raleigh and on ABC 11.

Yeah, the Carolina Hurricanes. Vegas Golden Knights at the Lenovo Center. Puck drop 8 o'clock. The only place you can watch is right here on ABC 11. And that's why we have our entire team out at the Lenovo Center. Amber Rupinta joins us live, leading our eyewitness news, live team coverage. She is out there from McCain's headquarters in Raleigh, where we know the party is picking up right now, Amber. I mean, it's so loud.

Be honest, we have, would you see us wearing these headsets? That means it's lit behind us. That is exactly what is happening here on the South Plaza party underway. That's where the concert is going to start at 5.30 with the Brothers Osborne. This is just a party atmosphere here, and it's not just limited to the arena. This is happening at restaurants and bars and houses all across our region. In the Sand Hills is where we head now, and that is where Penelope Lopez is visiting one of those parties all about the canes. Here at Cheers 2 dive bar on Rayford Road, loving the canes isn't just a hobby.

It's a way of life. People around here are buzzing about canes. I go out wearing my canes gear and everybody's like, go canes. Everywhere you look, the walls, ceiling, even the napkin holders. It's a sea of canes red, white and black. Greg Offenhauser, a veteran, runs the place with his wife Gail, who bought the establishment in 2001. Together, they've built a place where everyone feels like family. People just like coming here.

It's like a community bar, a lot of camaraderie. After decades of good times, Cheers 2 leveled up in 2023, becoming an official Carolina Hurricanes bar. They sent us a bunch of swag for the canes and stuff, you know, and so now we're doing watch parties, especially now for the Stanley Cup, trying to get more hockey awareness in this area. And if you think Fayetteville's the only place with hockey fever, think again. Terry Meyer from Robeson County has an entire wall and bobblehead,

dedicated to the sport. It really became a huge part of my life because I went through severe depression and it was the first thing that I went to by myself where I just had to get out of the house. And then I started going to games by myself. I got my parents involved a couple of years later. So it just became a big bonding thing for all of us. And Meyer says hockey gave her her spark back after a difficult time in her life. Still ahead, we'll dive into her game time rituals. Reporting in the Sand Hills, I'm Penelope Lopez, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Hockey fever, take it over in the Sand Hills as well. Don Schoedeker is out here. What do you think of the vibe?

It's crazy. It's so much fun. Everybody walked by is smiling. They're happy. It's a good time. I talked to one lady, she doesn't even have tickets. She just wanted to be part of the energy. And it's great to be here. Yeah, exactly. That's why people are just coming out for the party. So it's not just indoors, it's outdoors. And that band sounded awesome in their sound check. I can't wait to hear them rip it live. It should be good. Yeah, so it's big business.

We know it's big fun as well, but it is also about giving back. So let's check in with John Downing. He is live at the Food Bank where this is an opportunity to do just that. Hey, John. Hey, Amber. Obviously, the canes being such a major impact here across Central Carolina, helping in the community, and they're helping in a major way right now. Unfortunately, we're hearing from the food bank.

More people are coming forward here. Many new faces asking for help, but it's not just happening here at the food bank here behind me. They're telling us staff from the food bank say that they're hearing from their more than 700 partners across the 34 counties they serve. More and more people are looking for ways to be able to put food on the table.

Hi, hockey fans. This is Jacob Slavin inviting you to team up with the food bank for the goal to end hunger challenge. The Cains taking a moment off the ice, urging everyone to help tackle growing food insecurity across Central Carolina. Staff at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina say one in seven people in the triangle and one in five children experience food insecurity. The needs only grow in the summer

once school is out and rising costs are making it harder. Staff say they're even facing higher costs at the food bank because of rising diesel prices. The farmers that we work with are also seeing those increased costs and the drought that we've had on top of it and then our cost. So it really is this perfect storm right now that we're experiencing. That's why this help and attention from the canes is so important right now. Coming up at five, we'll talk more about what this impact looks like and families here across Central Carolina. And we'll hear from some other Keynes fans about why you should jump in and help the food bank meet this goal to be able to help fight hunger here in Central Carolina. Live here in Raleigh, I'm John Dowding. ABC 11. High Witness News.

John, we know that that is a main mission of the Keynes Foundation in the Carolina Hurricanes as an organization to really give back to the community all year round, not just during this incredible season and series that they're in. Thank you so much for that. And we will have team coverage all throughout the Stanley Cup final, including pregame specials each game night before the puck drops. Chasing the cup airs at 730 right here on ABC 11 and wherever you stream. And remember, the Stanley Cup final airs right here on ABC 11 as well. Game one starts at 8 o'clock tonight, so the countdown is on. Barbara and Steve, it's lit out here. Back to you. Absolutely. And really fun that people can go hang out, catch the fun.

The concert there, Brothers Osborne, that's at 5.30, you have to pay to park, but pretty cool that you can go and they've got food and beverage options there for you as well. Yeah, even if you don't have a ticket and you want to just go hang out. Yeah. Get the feeling around there. Okay, great. Amber, thank you so much and all the other team out there. The Raleigh Police Department is crediting a man with stopping an attack. Police say a neighbor shot a man who was attacking someone with an axe this morning on Summit Avenue. A captain on the scene tells ABC 11 that the two men living in an encampment nearby got into an argument. At some point, investigators believe one man started attacking the other man with an axe.

Investigators say that's when a neighbor heard the fight, went outside, shot the man with the axe. The man who was shot collapsed nearby and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Raleigh police say two men involved in that know each other. Police say the person who fired the shot has been cooperative and had a valid license to own a gun. All right, let's go to Durham now where a truck driver is hurt after this crash involving an Amtrak train. This is a look from Chopper 11 overhead. This is Grant Street and East Petigrew Street. The Durham Fire Department says the driver of that big rig was taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay.

Authorities are trying to figure out exactly why that truck was stuck there on the tracks and hit by that. Amtrak train. Well now to the new conversation around ride share safety that one triangle family hopes prevents a future tragedy. That's right the family of a Durham man who was shot and killed while driving for Uber last year called for new safety measures to be passed into law. Sean Coffey was there and brings us their message. He worked to provide for us. He drove to give us a better life. Everything he did he did for his family. Lawmakers in the family of Emmanuel Beattie standing side-by-side Tuesday calling for

that protects ride share drivers and passengers. When we lost him, we lost the center of our world. The grief does not come in waves. It is constant. It lives in the empty chair at the dinner table. In the silence where his voice used to be. BD was killed in January 2025 after investigators say, while driving for Uber,

he accepted a ride for 18-year-old Kavion Brown of Dunn before Brown shot and killed him. The Durham father of four left behind a wife and four kids. BD's estate has since filed a civil lawsuit against Uber technologies alleging wrongful death and negligence, saying the ride share giant didn't do enough to screen potentially dangerous passengers. We are here because silence is not an option. We are calling on lawmakers to strengthen protections for rideshare drivers. Rideshare companies operating in this state must be held to the highest enforceable safety standards. On Tuesday, several lawmakers, including Representative Zach Hawkins of Durham, said something needs to change and suggested future legislation to prevent a similar tragedy,

including better incident reporting and new vehicle camera requirements. Ride share drivers across North Carolina and across the country face growing safety risk every single day while they transport passengers. No one should have to risk their life simply for going to work. And that was Sean Coffey with that report. A college coach in North Carolina speaks out on a terrifying rip current rescue. She tried to save her nephew? Those details just ahead. And could some new drones be coming to the Bull City,

keeping an eye on things for the DPD? Akela Davis joins us live with that story coming up here in two minutes. The Durham City Council voted to renew a $16 million eight-year contract for the police department with AXon Enterprises. It's a technology company, and it will help law enforcement agencies that use drones and AI software. Yeah, police say the contract enhances safety and helps solve crimes. But residents say these tools are a form of surveillance in their everyday lives. Akela Davis is live in Durham with more about this debate.

Akila, good afternoon. Hi, good afternoon. I can tell you there's concern about Durham police monitoring the lives of citizens. And it shines light on if law enforcement should use technology to crime fight. Rather than buy drones and computers for the police, let's spend the money fixing the parks and making them really. destination parks. I don't want to see them adding more packages to a quilt. I want to know that what we have is a law enforcement community that's using every tool and resource that's available them today. Mix reaction at Monday night's city council meeting ahead of city council members voting

to renew the contract with Axon Enterprises Inc, which would allow police departments to continue using and expanding technology, including buying new drones. Police say the contract is necessary to enhance community safety. And as technology advances, more police departments across the country are turning to technology, calling it a tool that can help investigators solve crimes quicker. NTCU police chief Robert Gaddy spoke with me about license plate recognition technology, giving this example of how it's used. Now we're looking for Red Buick ABC 123. And as that goes different through different checkpoints, hey, there the car is right there. It's on Main Street. Next thing, you know, now it's on another street and you follow that car until it either you lose

track of it and it may be in a certain area or it went to his final resting place. So where should communities draw the line between personal privacy and safety ahead of 530? What Chief Gaddy is telling me. Reporting live in Durham, I'm Akila Davis, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Right, Akila, thank you. Seems like Gen Z is shopping for nostalgia. Yeah, there is a big increase in the number of young people heading to the mall right now instead of online ordering. Things like clothing and other stuff. ABC's Elizabeth Shulsey has more.

Going shopping. This morning in the fashion of Regina George and Cher Horowitz. Are you suffering from buyers and mores or something? No, nothing like that. The mall is making a comeback. The days of browsing stores hanging at the food court, even getting a makeover. You just try things on. until you find something that feels like you.

Now back in style, thanks to Gen Z. I believe in the power of a good outfit and go into the mall. Come with me to do a little bit of shopping at the mall. New data from PWC shows 57% of malls across the U.S. saw a boost in foot traffic over the past year from shoppers between the ages of 14 and 29. Gen X built the mall rat era. Millennials passed on it and Gen Z's bringing it back. They grew up the most immersed in technology of any generation that has come before them.

Yet they spend the most time in person at malls of any generation. They're looking for places they don't have to be on their phones all the time. That's exactly right. Younger shoppers say malls offer an experience you can't get online. I definitely like in person over online. Being able to like try stuff on and actually seeing like the texture and like the material of the clothes. Probably once or twice a week probably just go in there for for the fun. For major mall operators fighting years of store closures, it's welcome nostalgia.

Mace Rich, which owns dozens of malls across the U.S., says it recently created a Gen Z committee at the company. And Simon Property Group, the owner of more than 200 shopping centers, now credits Gen Z with a jump in sales. There's a real appeal in the experience of being there, which really aligns with the type of consumers that Gen Z are. They're budget-aware and experience-driven, and they're looking for places to be. gather. The boost and foot traffic from Gen Z doesn't always translate into higher sales. A lot of people come in here just to hang out, browse around, but malls know that this generation's purchasing power will only grow and they're trying to capture that attention now. In McLean, Elizabeth Shulsey, ABC News. All right, McDonald's is promising to step up its chicken game to

better compete in the fast food wars. The company is testing chicken wings and a bigger chicken tenders as part of a new growth strategy. It also includes a A.L. drive-thrus and new playgrounds to attract families. And Amazon is moving its summer prime day event back to June after holding the sale in July for the last five years. Amazon now says Prime Day sales will start later this month on June 23rd. Last year's event helped drive more than 24 billion dollars in spending. All right, it's been a beautiful day across Central North Carolina. Stepping out to walk the dog this evening, that's gonna be very nice. So

bright and sunny conditions for the next few hours. until the sun sets. Tipters will stay in the 70s through the evening. And later tonight with the clear sky and a north wind, tipters are going to drop all the way into the 40s and 50s across the region. So you get a chilly but refreshing start to the day on your Wednesday.

Tipters will spend some time in the 60s and 70s through the morning hours. And then the afternoon, we will see it warming up into the low and mid 80s across the central portion of the state, but you might want to head to the coast. That's how nice it is. So if you have the day off for looking for something to do tomorrow.

This is what it looks like at Ritesville Beach. It was a bit more in the way of sunshine earlier today. You can see right now the waves are pretty choppy out there. So red flag warnings for rip currents along parts of the coast. That will likely be the case throughout the day tomorrow as well. But as far as going out there to lay out, soak up some sun, would be a great day for that. Temperature should be in the 80s, right around 80 degrees along the coast.

And of course that humidity is low for the time being. But if you can't get out to the beach tomorrow, you have time. as we go into this weekend because it is going to be hot and you're going to want a way to cool down. Tipters will be in the mid-90s for Central North Carolina. So you can't head to the beach, maybe hit up the pool this weekend. Thankfully, it's not going to be overly humid. Tipter stay around 90 degrees going into early next week, an isolated shower or storm as possible. And then we drop it to the 80s as we go into Tuesday. All right, Steve and Lauren, join us now with what's coming up at 5. Hey guys.

All right, Cruz, it's going up on a Tuesday. The energy, the vibes are all high. But we wanted to know how much Cain's fans really know about hockey. So we sent Amber out with the questions and the answers might make you laugh. All right. And our news headlines today, Ben Crump is here in North Carolina. Asking for upgraded charges for that now fired Shelby police officer caught on camera assaulting a woman. What he is saying about that moment here in North Carolina. Okay, back at Lenovo, a free concert expected to start around 5.30 p.m.

James Price is there ahead of the music. She's getting the vibe. She's talking to the people about the fan experience. it's happening outside the arena and that's all free. Yeah, it's going to be fun out there. And in Durham, the city council voted to extend the contract with a company that helps the Durham Police Department with body cameras, drones, and tasers for $16 million over the next eight years.

And police say it's really necessary to fight crime in the Bull City. But some citizens are pushing back. They have concerns that this might amount to surveillance. All right, scammers are in high gear trying to catch you while your guard is down. They're hoping to cash in on your mistakes. The troubleshooter talks to a victim who already lost. of dollars with run wrong click trying to secure some tickets. Yeah, and for all the Caniacs rock in their gear really proudly.

We are asking, do you know if it's real or if it's fake? We have the science to help you spot counterfeit merchandise, all that when we see here for the news at five in just a couple of minutes. Barbara. All right, I don't want to know about those hockey questions. I'm going to answer about football. Don't ask you about hockey. All right, thanks guys.

A college basketball coach here in North Carolina who nearly drowned trying to save her nephew from a rip current tells her story. Thank you.