ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 4pm - May 13, 2026

Episode Date: May 13, 2026

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Coming up here at 4 o'clock, the battle over the state budget may be over, but lawmakers still have some finalizing to do. We're taking a closer look at just how much of a pay increase state employees could see. Breaking news out of Washington. The Senate has confirmed Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh ending the standoff over Jerome Powell's investigation. Plus new details in a troubleshooter investigation involving a Raleigh wedding photography company accused of ghosting brides and then shutting down. I would just use it for 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, we're taking you outside on this mild sunny day from Raleigh all the way the Carolina Beach. The sun is out, but you're going to want to keep an umbrella handy because rain is in the forecast. Thank you for joining us for eyewitness News at 4. I'm Barbara Gibbs. I'm Amber Repenta. So if you have stepped outside today, I'm sure you know, it is a beautiful day. And we hope you enjoyed it because some rain is hanging our way. Always the way it is, isn't it? Chief Minister, John Twentner, joins us now in the First Alert Forecast Center with more. We need the rain, though, Don. We do, and most of it's going to fall after you go to sleep. So you should be just fine tonight if you've got any evening plans. Good evening to you

live. Look, First Alert Doppler, tonight's scanning. This guy's not seeing any rainfall here. But let's look at First Alert predictor forecast model. So the Times, so the Times, on the title there by 10 o'clock tonight. We're seeing the showers approach to the triad. They'll work down through between 10 and midnight, and they are not widespread. Some of you will not see any rain tonight. Rain chances have really gone down today as this system runs into the dry air that's in place. Unfortunately, when you're in a drought, it usually creates more drought, and that's what's going to happen with these rain showers tonight. Live look on your mutual tower sky cams, 79, mostly sunny. It is a little breezy. Winds at time gusting up around 20

miles an hour. So let's hook you in with those evening plans. You'll notice 5, 6, 7, 8 o'clock, temperatures falling through the 70s by 9 o'clock a 20% chance of showers. Really the best chance for rain, though, is between 10 and 2 a.m. And those will just be scattered showers. Nothing severe. Once that moves out, we got a huge warm-up to talk about. Well, first alert you to that in the 7-day forecast coming up in just a bit. Ladies. All right, see you soon with more, Don, thanks. Then Raleigh, state lawmakers are working to finalize a new state. budget. And of course, this comes after leadership from both chambers announced that they had agreed to a framework tackling several big issues, including teacher pay and state worker pay. We have team coverage this afternoon.

Elena Athens is in Raleigh, taking a closer look at what the new budget could mean for businesses. But let's begin with Michael Perchick. He's live outside the state legislative building in Raleigh, looking into those pay adjustments. Michael, good afternoon. How's the reaction? Good afternoon. Amber and Barbara. Yeah, that's exactly right. the pay raise ranges are fairly broad in nature, both in turn to the percentages we could be seeing for some of these state employees and which employees would be receiving them. A couple of areas of focus in that proposal include retirees and state law enforcement. My dad sat down and said, state will take care of you when you get ready to retire. It was that belief that has helped pave a pathway for generations of workers to enter state government and why there is such frustration over the inclusion of a two and a half percent one-time bonus for retirees. inflation keeps going up, my gas keeps going up, groceries keep going up, but my paycheck that supported me that I support the state is not helping.

A lot of us retirees have to go get another job after working 30 years with the state. There was warmer reception to propose raises for law enforcement with several state agencies seeing average double-digit increases, plus an additional $40.1 million e-marked towards one-time bonuses for local law enforcement. The proposed budget provisions definitely will help address salary issues and funding issues for both officers being recruited, but equally important for officers that are currently serving. The increase is particularly timely for correctional officers. As of January, Governor Josh Stein said that more than a third of those positions were vacant, and the state ranked 49th nationally in starting pay. One question that has emerged is where the money is coming from, including whether job cuts, will play a role in funding increases. In the last 20 years, the state of North Carolina has not added any state employees.

We have two million more people and the same number of state employees serving them. So now we have more people in the retirement system drawing a check than putting into it. And coming up at five, we take a closer look at funding for the new children to hospital, plus broader impacts to state employees, including educators. In Raleigh, I'm Michael Perchick, ABC 11, eyewitness news. See you in an hour with more. Michael, thank you. And breaking here now for Kevin Warsh has officially been confirmed by the Senate to serve as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. The Senate voted today 54 to 45. Warsh will replace central bank head Jerome Powell, who has faced scrutiny from President Donald Trump. Trump has accused Powell of slowing economic growth over his refusal to cut borrowing costs in an aggressive manner. Powell's term ends later this week and he has vowed to stay on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. as that term does not expire until January 31st, 28. Well, now we turn to the Sand Hills where we're following the latest updates on Good Year's closure announcement.

The news impacting many families throughout Cumberland County. Penelope Lopez joins us live from outside the Goodyear Plant in Fayetteville. Penelope, good afternoon. You spoke with community leaders. What are they saying? Good afternoon, that's right. I did speak with community leaders. You know, they're all coming together during this uncertain time.

I spoke with the FTCC president along with the president of the Fayetteville, Cumberland Economic Development Team, and they told me that they are both working together to create a training course for these workers, as well as helping workers find a job before the plant closes. To see a closure after more than 50 years, it's definitely something that was not expected and not something we wanted to see. With 1700 jobs at risk, Robert Van Gehens, president and CEO of FCEDC, says their focus is on supporting people through this transition. Ideally, we'd love for them to, when they do have to leave the facility, the next day to be able to start with someone else. Fayetteville-Cumberland Economic Development, or FCEDC, works with companies to create jobs. For over 50 years, the Goodyear facility has provided stable jobs for generations in this area. The closure was announced after the company reportedly lost $249 million in their first quarter.

Despite the uncertainty, Van Giennes remains optimistic. He says there are more than fourth. thousand job openings in the county right now with hundreds in manufacturing. We've got probably a few hundred right now from machine workers to people working in logistics to safety technicians to electrical engineers. We have a lot of positions in cybersecurity. For some, like Dee, the news is taking a toll on their family's mental health. Her husband has worked at the plant for 17 years. We don't live beyond our means, but even with the way everything is going up, like we're still kind of like everybody else, paycheck.

the paycheck sometimes, so that's going to really hurt. And Dee has multiple children, including her youngest, which is who lives at home with her, who's 16 years old. She says that she has many concerns at this moment, especially with their finances. And what comes next as far as her husband's job? We'll learn more about her story and how they're navigating this entire situation coming up in the next hour. For now, reporting live in Fayetteville. I'm Penelope Lopez, ABC 11, eyewitness news. A lot of stress, troubling times for those folks there. Penelope, thank you.

New details this afternoon in a troubleshooter investigation involving the Raleigh business, Holly Christina photography, which is accused of ghosting brides and then shutting down. The courts issued a preliminary injunction against the company. Today, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson gave an update to his lawsuit filed against Holly Christina photography. As part of the preliminary injunction, the company now has 30 days to hand over the photograph. and video that is owed to its customers. We have repeatedly reached out to Holly Christina photography

but have not heard back. Jackson says his office has received more than 200 complaints against the company with losses that total about $1 million. This company was taking deposits right up until the point where they shut down, then offered no refunds, didn't offer any help to any of these couples to try and find a new wedding photographer.

And tonight here at 5 o'clock, hear from customers of Holly Christina photography who still do not have what they paid for. And also the next steps in Attorney General Jeff Jackson's investigation and how he hopes it will bring refunds to customers. Well, now to a major update in the case of a former South Carolina attorney convicted of murdering his wife and son. Today, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alec Murdoch's murder convictions and ordered a new trial. The disgrace former attorney made international news, and his case is the subject of documentaries for the murders of his wife, Maggie and son Paul in June of 2021. The court now says the trial was marred by the improper influence of the county clerk, Becky Hill. Murdoch received two life sentences for the murder charges. He separately pleaded guilty to dozens of financial crimes and is serving concurrent state and federal sentences of 27 and 40 years.

Coming up on eyewitnesses at 430, we'll have more on what's next in the next. this case. Right now at four crews in Raleigh are continuing cleanup efforts after a sewer spill of more than 1.1 million gallons. According to state officials, the spill started along John Brantley Boulevard and is being blamed on human error. Chopper Levin over the area today. The city says crews have contained the spill, but the cleanup continues. Let's go to Duan Hoggard. He's joining us live in Raleigh right near where that spill happens. So, do want to tell us what's happening there? Yeah, right now, I'll just go ahead and show you. You're You've seen just a number of Raleigh crews from the public utilities department.

They are here on site. They are restoring their finishing up cleanup efforts of that massive spill. A lot of that's happening just on the other side of that tree line, a little bit out of sight here, that employees of the nearby auction direct dealerships say caused their customers to complain yesterday and even leave because they say the smell was just so bad. Now, the city telling us more than 1.1 million gallons of untreated wastewater, all related to the runway construction at RDU Air.

airport were inadvertently dumped into the storm drain instead of the wastewater drain. The city says it was all caused by human error as a result of a temporary pipe failure Tuesday morning. Now apparently we're told a contractor was doing work on a sewer pipe when a temporary pipe that was being used to bypass sewage flow broke. An employee for auction direct who I spoke with a short while ago says crews have been out here dumping wastewater from R to you for several days. But Tuesday was the worst he's seen and it even caused potential customers to leave. The customers were coming and complaining about the smell and then also about all the activity and not being able to get by because they weren't really talking to anybody. So they were just kind of doing what they had to do. They were blocking up the street.

So it was real rough on the customers and then the smell, you can smell it in the building. So it was real rough for the customers to be out here and come out here and look at cars or even do test drives and stand out here and look at the cars because of the smell. Now, the city I just spoke with a short while ago, they said, The initial repair was made Tuesday evening and that there was and is no impact to people who live nearby. Now we're also told that the Raleigh Stormwater, they are investigating, as you see just right over my shoulder here, the absolute impact of what actually has happened out here. We're working to follow up with them on what the result of their investigation will be. We're live in Raleigh this afternoon.

Duan Hogarth, ABC 11, IWitness News. Yeah, I know a lot of residents in that area were very concerned yesterday with what they were seeing. and of course the odor that they were smelling. Duane, thank you. Next year, for President Donald Trump in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with leaders amid the U.S. war with Iran, what we know so far about that trip

and what it could mean for the war. And UNC Chapel Hill's major campus expansion plan is moving a step closer to reality. The design team set to lead the project. And we're taking a live look. I-40 Airport Boulevard right now. Traffic's still along on both sides. Just fine. Volume. Not too bad.

hour. We know that'll change about an hour from now. As we hit a break, here, your traffic hot spots brought to you by your first alert forecast team. The ABC 11 First Alert Forecast team is working to keep you safe. Oneies across the region. Some cloud cover starting to build. That rain is going to push on through. Cold air coming in. The first alert forecast team. Only on ABC 11, eyewitness news. eyewitness news. We are local news weeknights four to six 30 and 11. Right now at four, UNC Chapel Hill's major campus expansion plan.

Carolina North is moving forward. The UNC Board of Trustees has approved four design firms to plan the infrastructure and design. Cindy Bay is live for us in Chapel Hill with the latest on this. Cindy, good afternoon. Good afternoon, Barbara. Well, while a project this large may take years

to complete. Many say the university is already making fast progress and there's growing excitement about what comes next. Carolina North is gaining momentum with design teams now officially in place. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. The UNC Board of Trustees approved four firms, including top-ranked Ayr-St. Gross, which trustees say stood out during the selection process. Trustee Brian Allen helped interview candidates and says the firm, team impressed across the board. Their team was better. I mean, just everybody on their team was extremely talented. The next step is developing a master plan for phase one, focusing on 230 acres and what can

and should be built there while staying within an $8 million budget. University leaders say top priorities include more student housing and better campus connectivity. The university is looking for more space. I think students are looking for innovative classroom space and more opportunities, more housing. It's still unclear how the future of the Dean Dome could fit into the project, but phase one of Carolina North is moving ahead. Student Body President Devin Duncan says student experience must remain the focus. I think the student experience is important to everyone involved, right?

Your team can't be a team if the students aren't showing up, so you've got to get it right. Coming up at five, what this expansion could actually look like and how long the project could take will be new ahead on eyewitness news at 5 in Chapel Hills. Cindy Waith, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Right, Cindy, thank you. For the first time in nearly a decade, a U.S. president is visiting China. President Trump arriving in Beijing today for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. More than a dozen CEOs of major U.S. companies also joining him on the trip.

Here's ABC's Selena Wang with the latest from Beijing. The red carpet rolled out for President Trump as he stepped off Air Force One in Beijing, greeted by the Chinese vice president and U.S. ambassador to China. We have a lot of things to discuss. More than a dozen CEOs of major U.S. companies are joining Trump on the trip. The president writing on social media that he'll be asking Chinese President Xi Jinping to open up China so that these brilliant people can work their magic. He's trying to do everything he can to at least say to the U.S. public that I'm trying to open up a very

closed market. The chance of that happening is very low. Navidia CEO Jensen Huang, a last minute add to the trip. Huang has been lobbying the administration to loosen export controls on his company's advanced AI chips. But in Washington, some lawmakers warning that could give China an edge in the global AI race. The war with Iran will loon large as the president meets with Xi. China is one of Iran's closest allies. Iran says China plays a key role in its security position in the Strait of Hormuz

and buys more Iranian oil than any other country. Before the trip, the president was asked if he thought China should intervene in the conflict. No, I don't think we need any help with Iran. But during their meeting, Trump is expected to urge Xi to pressure Tehran to make a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Americans feeling to pressure amid the straits closure with gas prices up 50 percent since the war began. The bilateral talks between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to take place on Thursday. The president says he's hoping to sign deals for China to buy more American food and airplanes. The president says he'll be talking to Xi Jinping about trade more than national.

anything else. Selina Wang, ABC News, Beijing. And David Muir will be anchoring world news tonight from Beijing, China. That's at 630 following eyewitness news here at 6. A long time immigration's and customs enforcement official appears poised to lead the agency. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson says David Venturella is expected to become its acting director. His experience in the private sector includes work for one of ICE's biggest detention center contractors. Current ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons last day is scheduled from May 31st. He faces scrutiny for controversial immigration enforcement activities in several cities. Just in time for the warm weather, carry splash pads, spray grounds and water play features have officially reopened. That looks

fun. Carrie's waterplay features are available at downtown Carrie Park, Jack Smith Park, Marlodoral Park, and Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road. This is Chopper 11 flying over that area today. Not many people out there just yet. It was a little chilly for that, but that will soon change, as you know. The parks are open daily from 9 to 8 through September 21st. That looks really pretty, though. And I was going to say, gosh, in a couple of days, you're going to want to jump into that splash pad. Yeah, that's the problem. A lot of the neighborhood pools, things like that, they don't open until Memorial Day. And this weekend, we're talking 90s. So those places that are open are going to be packed. We'll talk about that coming up. Good evening to you. Live look at

First Lord Doppler, Net Tonight, scanning the skies dry across our part of the Carolinas. We had live down to Fayetteville. Top our self-help sky cam on Hay Street. 80 degrees right now, mostly sunny in a south-s Southwest wind at nine miles per hour. Right around 80 degrees, mid-to-up, 70s across the region. Seventy-four out your door in Roanokeet, Rocksboro, 77. Just getting an update there. 80 in Durham, 78, Raleigh, 77 Smithfield, 78, Lillington, and 78 in Clinton. We'll go from the 70s to the 50s tonight. There is a chance of some body showers mainly between 10 and 2 a.m. You're going to sleep through them.

We're not seeing a ton of lightning or thunder with this. And some folks aren't going to see any rain tonight. Unfortunately, I know we need it, but some places are just going to go without as we drop into the 50s for lows. Now, tomorrow morning, those temperatures will be in the 50s, climbing into the 60s. And by lunchtime, we're up to 68 degrees, gorgeous Thursday and Friday looks even better. Now, here's the system up to the north dropping south. Unfortunately, it's dropping into some very dry air. So your first alert predictor forecast model shows those showers.

There they are about 8 o'clock tonight approaching our area. And then as they work through, they really fall apart. I just don't anticipate a ton of rain. Anybody who does see rain, it will be a quarter inch or less. Then it presses out of here. We dry out as we head into the day tomorrow. Forecast looks like this for tomorrow. Temperatures across the region will be cooler behind that frontal boundary.

69 Durham, 71 Raleigh, 76 in Fayetteville. Your first alert, seven day forecast shows temperatures on Friday, 77, great Friday night. Any Friday night plans look good. Saturday, 87 for Armed Forces Day. Sunday, we could see a record high. 92 degrees. We're flirting with that. 93 on Monday, Tuesday, 91, and we stay near 90 on into next week. Those splash pads getting a workout starting on Saturday. I'm not flirting with those 90s. You might be, but I'm not I'm not either. I would tell it to go away. I'm getting my number. Next year at 4, from Dancing to Destinations.

TikTok's going to soon allow users to book hotels, attractions, and more from the app. We'll explain how it works when we come back. Plus a milestone birthday. We'll introduce you to a local woman celebrating her 100th birthday at a really big way. What she says is the secret to living a long life. Time now for some news you can use. TikTok has announced new booking functionality called TikTok Go. Here's the way it works. If you see a hotel attraction or a tour you like in a video,

you can reserve it yourself right from the app. TikTok has partnered with companies like booking.com, Expedia, and Viator to make it work. Meta says it's rolling out a new incognito chat feature on WhatsApp and the Meta AI app. The company says that this tool will allow users to have private temporary conversations with MetaI. According to Meta, the chats will be processed in a secure environment that even the company cannot access. It says the conversations won't be saved and messages will disappear by default. The new feature will roll out over the coming months. And if you're looking for a new pet, the Animal Protection Society of Durham is offering an adoption special. This week, the fee to adopt a dog is $50. And some dogs have no adoption fee at all. The deal also includes

the canines in foster care. The special runs through this Saturday, May the 16th. And Barbara, that's news you can use. All right. Thank you, Amber. We'll new it for. one Roxborough woman is celebrating a milestone birthday. Person Memorial Hospital staff, Roxborough Mayor Cynthia Petty, family and friends celebrated Ms. Mary Ella Morris. Banks's 100th birthday. When asked about her secret to living a long life, she said, quote, hard work, not drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. And some good news, Ms. Mary is headed home from the hospital tomorrow. So happy birthday to her. What a milestone. Happy birthday.

Coming up here at 430, as lawmakers can do you. to work on the new state budget. We are taking a look at everything, including the framework, including a phase reduction of the state income tax rate. What the move could mean for small business owners. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now.

Right now at 430, we're back with more on the state's new budget deal. The framework for the budget includes pay raises for teachers, salary increases for law enforcement, and a phase reduction of the state income tax. Elena Athens has more now about the new reduction. This is all brand new right here. Kuya Cafe just finished a renovation and expansion project at its Glenwood South location.

Staff is getting ready to open its new glass and closed cafe. It's the first of its kind in North Carolina. They do these systems out in New York City. The grand opening is planned for next Friday. Come grab their coffee, come grab a sandwich, and not feel like, you know, they're breaking the bank. Executive chef Kevin Ruiz says there's a focus right now on offering budget-friendly options, especially as some people are watching their dollars. Whether it's at your local coffee shop, restaurant, boutique, whatever, I think that that helps the community as a whole always.

And so a little extra money goes a long way. Moxie Salon just opened doors two days ago in Morrisville. Co-owner Nevy Nelson says she would have welcomed any personal income tax reduction that was planned. Not just for us as owners, but also for everyone that's hardworking with the economy, as much money is going out for. for gas and food and things like that, the more that we can save, the better. And that was Elena Athens reporting. Two women are facing charges for stealing from multiple bath and body workstores across the triangle. That is one of your local headlines in tonight's speed feed.

35-year-old Patrice Harris and 32-year-old Latrice Leak are facing multiple charges, including larceny conspiracy and organized retail theft. Police say the pair stole more than $8,300 worth of merchandise between January and April of this year in 17. separate incidents. A woman has died after being hit by a car in Fayetteville early Saturday morning. Police tell us 40-year-old Riannon Maur ran in front of a Hyundai near Rayford Road and Greenleaf Drive. The driver of that car tried to avoid her, but hit her and collided with another vehicle. Moore was taken to a hospital but died yesterday. Both drivers involved are cooperating with investigators and no charges are expected to be filed.

At a great day for NCCU Women's Basketball, Olivia Gaines has been. named as head coach and was introduced at a press conference this morning. Gaines has an impressive resume. She's a former standout player and got her coaching career started on the high school level. Gaines also coached at another level and a division two before making her way to NCCU. Congrats to her. That's your speed feed, Barbara. Back to you. All right, Amber, thank you. You'll soon have the chance to weigh in on the proposed merger between Wake Met and Atrium Health. The health care systems announced the potential merger earlier this month, but a planned vote by the the Wake County Commissioners is now delayed by 90 days.

And now WakeMed and Atrium, we're holding a series of forums. The five meetings will take place. It community centers at Wake Med hospitals on May 19th, 21st, 26th, 27th, and 28th. We have a list of those locations right there on your screen. Wake Med also plans to hold a virtual forum at noon on May 20th and has created a web page where people can share their thoughts online. The Fable City Council is holding three work sessions to discuss the proposed budget for next fiscal year. The sessions will be happening over the next three Thursdays and the first is tomorrow,

May 14th, followed by the 21st and then the 28th. Each session will be held at City Hall at 10 in the morning. City manager Douglas Hewitt will present his proposed budget at that first work session this Thursday, and then a public hearing will be held Tuesday, May 26. In Lee County, heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar is hiring 600 additional employees to work at its Sanford plant. They're hiring from multiple different roles, including truckloaders, assembly workers, wielders, welders, and more. Pay for assembly workers starts at $18 an hour and roughly $21 an hour for welders. The plants located on Womack Road in the Central Carolina Enterprise Park off U.S. Highway 1.

Well, now to a stunning reversal in one of the country's most high-profile murder cases. The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned the murder convictions of disgraced attorney Alex Murdoch in the killings of his wife and son, ruling that, he did not receive a fair trial. ABC's Ashan Singh has the latest. This morning, a major legal victory for disgraced South Carolina attorney Alec Murdoch. Verdict guilty. The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturning his 2023 murder convictions and life sentences and the shooting deaths of his wife and younger son. The court ruling that the conduct of Colleton County Clerk of Court, Becky Hill,

egregiously attacked Murdoch's credibility during the trial. Justices say Hill, improperly influenced the jury. She pleaded guilty to perjury and obstruction of justice for lying about her contact with the press and to misconduct in office for improperly promoting a book about the case. The court, also finding the trial judge, allowed too much testimony and evidence about Murdoch's financial crimes into the murder case. Murdoch's lawyers had long argued that evidence, including allegations he stole millions from clients, prejudiced the jury against him.

Prosecutors maintained the evidence against Murdoch for the murders was overwhelming. including video recorded by his son just minutes before the killings that placed him at the family's dog kennels. Murdoch has always denied killing his wife and son, even while admitting to years of fraud, theft, lying, and financial crimes. I'm innocent. I would never hurt my wife Maggie, and I would never hurt my son, Paw Paw. But even with his murder convictions now overturned, Alex Murdoch is still not walking free. He's still serving a 40-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to stealing millions of dollars from. his clients. Ashton Singh, ABC News, New York. New video shows the moment right before an undercover officer shoots and kills a man armed with what turned out to be a fake gun. And Gastonia, we want

to warn you, the video may be disturbing to watch. This shooting happened in January. The video here shows Derek Managalt arguing with another man first outside the store and then inside the store. Police say Manigalt pulled out the fake gun. He had the gun pointed at the ground and was leaving when the undercover officer opened fire. A second detective outside says Menagal ran out of the store with the gun raised, though. He collapsed and later died at the hospital after being shot. The DA's office called that shooting justified and will not press charges against the officers. Still ahead here at 430 celebrating the upcoming television season here on ABC 11.

Disney's upfront presentation revealing several new shows and movies. We'll tell you what you can soon expect to see on your screen. And as we go to break, here's a view of you. the Raleigh Skyline on this Wednesday afternoon. Beautiful blue skies dotted with some clouds out there. The heat's coming. We'll have the forecast coming out. All right. Well, if you love TV, listen to this. We know some of the new shows and big stars coming soon to a screen near you. The Disney upfront was last night at the Javitt Center and there were so many big headlines to come out of it. Here's entertainment reporter Joelle Gargillo.

Cameras flashing the red or blue carpet rolled out celebrities everywhere. This is is the Disney Upfront. Think of them as a high-powered preview where we find out what the must-see moments of tomorrow will be. It's all kind of stars that I have never seen in person. They should not be outside of the television. This is my first time at the Disney Upfront, so they're amazing. All I want to know is

when is the next season coming out. I know. Do you know? First time in ESPN's 47-year history that we have the Super Bowl. How many people have reached after you trying to get Super Bowl tickets? Yeah, yeah. Tickets. That started already. Newly announced shows like The Land, starring Mandy Moore,

Christopher Maloney and William H. Macy. You like NFL? Yeah. He like Shakespeare? Yeah. Pick the spot with Claire Daines and Ewan McGregor and Count My Lies and Count My Lies with Kitt Harington, Shailene Woodley, and Lindsay Lohan. The character is different than people have seen me on screen. It's a twisty, domestic thriller.

We also learned who will be joining season 13 of American Horror Story. Paul Anthony Kelly, who is having a huge year after starring as JFK Jr. and Love Story. I'm living my dream. And fan favorites. making their return, the rookie 9-1-1, Grace Anatomy, and Abbott Elementary, just to name a few. Who is the most surprise fan encounter that you've had? TSA? They're like, yeah, 100%. Jack Nicholson. What? Wow. He looked at me and said, great show. I never miss it. What is something we wouldn't know about filming the rookie? Oh, probably how much fun we have and how much we're laughing. Yeah, we're like a big fan.

And then there's Dancing with the Stars. Jackson Olson from the Civil. Savannah Bananas will be joining the upcoming season, and we spoke to season 34 winner Robert Irwin, who is hosting a spin-off show, Dancing with the Stars, The Next Pro. How did this show change your life, did it? It did, I definitely did. Like, I'm a zookeeper. I'm an environmental conservationist and activist,

and I never thought I would get to represent all of that, everything I'm about, on a dance show. Next season of Dancing with the Stars, hotter, glitia, more glamorous. Thank you for changing my life. Big names and big news. All of this to say, the 2026 Disney Upfront was... Amazing.

Phenomenal. Exciting. Greatest day of my life. Spectacular. Kind of like our first big reunion. Oh, we get to be together. Full of amazing talent and full of raucous energy. And let's just say it one more time, ABC will be home to the Super Bowl,

the Grammys and the Oscars. And by the way, we found out that Conan O'Brien will be back to host. the 99th Academy Awards. All of this to say, we have got a very exciting year ahead. From the newsroom, I'm Joelle Gargulo. I'll send it back to you. We told you all yesterday, you're going to have a very busy year. Oh, my goodness.

And that was a ticket to a great party, too. I know, right? Amazing. Coming up here at 430, a hospice patient gets a surprise video call from a former student. You'll be shocked to see who it is. We'll show you the special reunion when we return. Plus, it's something you don't see every day or maybe ever. A donkey hitching a ride from a dog. Real news coming up next.

ABC 11 First Alert. At Desjardin Insurance, we know that when you own a nail salon, everything needs to be perfect from tip to toe. That's why our agents go the extra mile to understand your business and provide tailored solutions for all its unique needs. You put your heart into your company, so we put our heart into making sure it's protected. it. Get insurance that's really big on care. Find an agent today at Dejardin.com slash business coverage. They're on eyewitness news every day. More millennials are moving to the triangle. That's according to a new report from travel and leisure. Research Triangle Park is number three on the list for growth for people between the ages of 35 to 45.

According to the report, affordable housing compared to other metros is one of the main factors driving people to the area. The study also shows the area has become a hub for biotech, health tech, and other related startups. Other cities on the list include Charlotte, Tampa, and Austin. Well, now today's top trending stories in real news. First, here's something you don't see everywhere or maybe even ever. Check out this bizarre moment that a dog is spotted walking a donkey through a parking lot in a coastal town in Ireland. You can see the black lab leading the donkey along with a leash. No word on where exactly the pair were going or who they belong to.

They belong to each other. Well, Italy may not be going to the World Cup, but soccer skills still run deep in that country. Just check out this Venice Gondolier. Watch as a group of kids kickball across a canal when it rebounds off a wall toward a gondola drifting by without missing a beat. The gondolier flicks the ball back with a stylish backheel

while continuing to rove, sending it back to the kids neatly. Like it was planned. All right, in Tennessee, a sheriff's deputy gently swerves into action after noticing a family of geese trying to cross a busy five-lane road. Check this out. The dash cam footage from the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office shows the moment the deputy deploys a traffic slowing maneuver in the middle of the road where the adult geese and six goslings were waddling across.

The little pedestrians made it safely across. Thanks to that deputy. And that is real sweet news. Amber back to you. So sweet. We'll stop for that traffic jam any day. Now, new this hour, an elderly woman in Wilmington, North Carolina. is checking off one very special bucket list wish.

Lower Kfeer Life Care shared this post on Facebook. They say that Ms. Etta is a hospice patient there. Look who she's FaceTiming with. Many years ago, she was a high school teacher. They say that Ms. Edda often talks about her time teaching and her students, but there was one name that just kept coming up. Michael. Ms. Edda is saying she wished just to be able to hug Michael Jordan one more time.

Well, after several failed attempts to reach Michael Jordan, nurses say they got a call from an unknown number and heard is this miss edda it turns out that the michael miss edda was talking about was the NBA legend of course who grew up in wilmington the nurses helped jordan and miss edda facetime they spent time on the phone laughing and reminiscing that's really sweet and also knew it for you may have heard of an out of this world experience but how about an out of this world selfie nasa sharing this photo of its mars perseverance rover with a sweeping backdrop of the red planet. NASA said the photo was taken at a location

its science team calls Lock Descharmes, I guess. Lock Descharmes, is that sound right? Sounds right. It sounds right. It's on Mars. Scientists say this is the farthest west that the rover has been. The Perseverance rover has been on Mars since February of 2021. And this is the sixth selfie it's taken.

Kind of looks like a kind of a set from a movie. You know, like Star Wars or something like that, doesn't it? Oh, don't even start. And here come the country. conspiracy theories. It's really in Hollywood, not on Mars. It's AI. I did not mean that. No, no, it does. It looks like something right out of science fiction. Yeah, it really does. All right. Let's talk about what we're seeing out there tonight. We are dry live. Look at first Lord Doppler. Not seeing any showers out there. That could change later tonight. Check out this beautiful live shot looking into Roxborough, Persson County. Some high serious clouds working through of a beautiful blue sky. 77 right now on a southwest wind at seven. Temperatures across. the triangle 80 in Durham, 79 Morrisville, 78, Carrie, Raleigh, 77 Garner, Nightdale, Zebulance, 78 down in Fugueva Arena. Head north here at 72 for you in Oxford, 77 in Roxborough, 74 out your Roanoke, Rapid Siler City with sevens and eights, as well as Irwin and Goldsboro, 79 Pinehurst, 80 down

in Fayetteville. The first alert to your evening ahead. Those temperatures falling through the 70s into the 60s by 11 o'clock. We could see some showers just scattered. Not everybody's going see rain and temperatures in the 60s. We'll talk more about those rain chances coming up at 5 o'clock. Let's find out what else is coming up. For that, we check in with Lauren Johnson. Don Schwinnaker, thank you. Hurricane Helene exposed some shortfalls in Western North Carolina's communication systems.

18 months later, Verizon making some changes to ensure communication is never cut off in future weather events. More on the upgrades coming up. And playing at South Carolina State, now coaching at North Carolina Central. Today, the Eagles officially introduced their new women's basketball coach. Trey Miles goes one-on-one with Olivia. via Gaines. ABC is the place to be. Robin Roberts sitting down with the president and chief creative officer of the Walt Disney company, our parent company, to talk all things content, think Oscars, Grammys, and the Super Bowl, all on ABC in 2027. And it's almost that time for

the Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival and to kick things off. There's a block party tonight. And did you hear Dougie Fresh headlining this year? And produce the pictures. That's the message from Attorney General Jeff Jackson to the photography company accused of D.E. frauding brides and their families. The troubleshooter was there for the hearing today and this announcement the AG made about next steps in his lawsuit against Holly Christina photography. We'll have those stories and more when Barbara and I see you for the news here at 5 o'clock. Barbara and Amber. All right. Sounds good. Thank you, Lauren. See you then. Coming up next to four, a major affordable housing redevelopment is set to transform Durham's historic haytide district. The city breaking ground

on that new site today. We're hearing from some community members who say they're very excited for this change.