ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - April 1, 2026

Episode Date: April 1, 2026

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Right now, live coverage from your local newsleader, breaking stories from overnight and this morning, and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. 5 a.m. on this April 1st, good morning. Carolina, welcome on Wednesday, April the first time, Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. Today we can expect a big warm up with a near record hot. Yeah, 86, our high temperature around RDU and Fayville today. both those records will be really close. I'll have more on that and rain chances in my forecast. And today, President Trump set to address the nation on the war with Iran.

We're going to break down what we know. The countdown is on as a North Carolina state grad is about to fly to the moon. Our crew live on campus with reaction to this historic mission. And NC State making it official. The board of trustees approved the hiring of Justin Ganey as their new men's basketball coach. Details on the introduction ceremony happening to do. Today, Justin Caney coming in to be the new leader of the pack. We'll talk about all of that.

First of though, let's check, weather and traffic together. I saw you all right. Look, it's time. It's been tough times. Also very hot. Warm today. Very warm. Temperature is 86 for the afternoon.

That's going to be the high. But this is April 1st, and we have some new normals. Typically, right? Oh, okay. Yeah. I love this data. Typically. Typically on April 1st, we're in the upper 60s for highs.

By the end of the month, temperatures will be mainly mid to upper 70s on average. Our warmest day, 95 degrees. That was an extreme set in 1980. We need some rainfall this month. That's what we'll strive for at least three and a half inches of rainfall. Today high temperatures will be around the mid 80s. The record in Fayetteville is 87. I think we could get close to that. Record at RDU is 89 degrees. We'll be close to that as well. We have mainly clear skies around right now. No major issues otherwise dry weather across the state. Later this evening we'll see a little bit of cloud cover. There could be a stray shower late tonight, mainly north of the triangle. Aside from that, will remain parched around here. Sixty two degrees is your current temperature at RDU. Again, skies are mainly clear, warmer than yesterday, wind southwest at 12, and we're in the 60s all around at this time. Winds will continue to ramp up later today, so we'll have some breezy, digesty conditions through late day as well. Temperatures will be in the 80s early, then they'll drop it to the 70s. Big Artemis launch history making later today. The window for launch time opens at 624.

80% favorable conditions for that lunch. Just a 20% chance of a shower with temps in the low 70s. Some minor concerns about some wind gusts and some cumulus clouds out there too. But so far, looking pretty good for that. So more excitement building through the day. Full forecast is coming up in a few. Weather and traffic together. Anna, back to you. Quailen crash count sitting at zero right now. Also, you don't see any red, no yellow on the map, which means things are moving nicely. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras. This is 40 and I 885, and you can see traffic is really light. And today, President Donald Trump will address the nation with an important update on the war with Iraq.

Yeah, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt announcing the news of the address. At the White House yesterday, President Trump said Iran does not need to make a deal with the U.S. as a prerequisite for stopping the ongoing U.S. military operation. Pressed on his timeline for ending the war, President Trump speculated that it could be two or three weeks. The president also, again, seemed to indicate that the strait of Hormuz will be left for other nations to hand. after the U.S. leaves. The disruption to global oil markets has pushed the average price of a gallon of gas to $4. And this morning, Tamara Scott is live from the Raleigh-Ewindus News Center, and she has more on tonight's address. Good morning, Tamara.

Hey, good morning, Anna and Julia. The president is expected to speak again and address the nation at 9 o'clock tonight, and the update could bring in more impacts. We've already standing here at the pumps locally and, of course, down in the sandhills at Fort Bragg. Now the Defense Department confirming with ABC News that the specialized units from the 82nd Airborne Division, including the First Brigade Combat Team, are deploying into the Middle East, and this comes after thousands of paratroopers were deployed last week. President Trump says he does not plan to put U.S. boots on the ground in Iran, but the 82nd is trained for rapid response, including parachuting into combat zones if needed. Governor Stein reacting on X, saying when the Pentagon calls the 82nd Airborne are often the first to answer. And he added his family as keeping those service members in their prayers. Now meanwhile, the impact is also hitting drivers. AAA says gas prices jumped again overnight, with the national average now at 4.06

a gallon in North Carolina prices still slightly lower, but the average is still at 390. Now President Trump said this conflict could wrap up in two to three weeks or sooner if a deal is reached. Attention now turns to tonight's address to the nation. Families here waiting to see what happens. Back to you. We will be watching the president tonight. Thank you. Also happening today, all eyes will be on the sky as NASA. Artemis 2 prepares to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On board that lunar flyby mission will be astronaut NC State alumna Christina Cook. Sean Coffey joining us live at NC State this morning. And Sean Cook continues to inspire the next generation of students. Yeah, that's right, guys. We spoke with one of Cook's former professors actually who spoke with us about the history that she continues to make in the sky and in her career to date. Cook already holds the claim as the longest any woman has spent in space and will now become the first woman to travel around the moon as part of Artemis II while traveling farther into space than any other woman has done before this point. Now according to Dr. Stephen Reynolds here at NC State, current students continue to look up to her impressive achievements and he said her drive to break barriers was evident even as a student a quarter century ago.

And at that time, it was absolutely clear to me of what I said is true to this day, that she had a 4.0 average. That was the least interesting thing about her. It's a powerful drive, desire to go to space, energetic, accomplished, hardworking. Tonight a watch party to support Cook will take place over at the Talley Student Union. Not far from here. That'll take place at 530 eyewitness news, planning to be there for that event. If successful, and if all goes, according to plan, Artemis II, will venture, deep into space, challenging NASA to find deep space capabilities and potentially paving the way for a future

trip to Mars. So a pretty cool mission and NC State alum find yourself on today, guys. Back to you. It's a long way from Hillsborough Street, but Christina Cook is making the trip today. That's awesome. Sean, thank you. ABC News is planning a live special report later this evening covering the launch of the Artemis 2 mission around the moon. And now to more big news out of NC State. the school and athletics department is set to introduce their new head men's basketball coach today. Yeah, former NC State point guard Justin Ganey is taking over the team. Ganey starred in the Wolfpack Back Court from 1996 to 2000 advancing to the postseason in each of his four seasons at state. This would be Ganey's first head coaching job.

He most recently has been associate head coach for the University of Tennessee. Today's announcement is expected at 2 p.m. at Lenovo Center. In the NCAA tournament, the women's final four is set with all. one seeds, Yukon, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina will all compete for a national title in Phoenix, Arizona. The 2026 Final Four is the exact same teams we saw in the 2025 Final Four. The NCAA Women's National Championship will take place on Sunday afternoon right here on ABC 11. Tip off is at 3.30 p.m. 507 and new details about a deadly shooting involving a sheriff's deputy and another law enforcement officer in Cumberland County.

This morning we're hearing the 911 call giving us some more inside on what happened right after the shots were fired. And straight ahead how President Trump is looking to crack down on mail-in voting. Good morning, Quay. Good morning, mainly clear skies out there starting in the 60s right now. Some good car wash weather for you today. As high temperatures climb to near record highs, mid to upper 80, some rain on the way this weekend. I'll have more on that my forecast. 510, welcome back on this Wednesday. First day of April. Live look into North Hills. There's a look at the moon, which turns full. later tonight at 1011. That's the full pink mood. It sets at 649 this morning, so still a chance to see that before sunrise. We still have the increased fire danger risk for today with those gusts nearing 30 miles per hour and humidity values. Still low with the dry air too. But a big warm-up temperatures, mid-to-upper 80s, triangle in San Hills, low to mid-80s, northern counties today with partly cloudy skies. Statewide, today's, 70s and 80s, a few showers and storms in the mountains and more 70s and 80s for tomorrow. So if you're traveling west, it could be some wet spots for you later. Our rain chances are better on Easter Sunday. I'll have more than timing after when I come back.

Joel back to you. We'll see you then Quailan. Thank you. Three people shot in broad daylight in Samson County. And this morning the accused shooter is off the streets. Clinton police arrested Ricardo Ramsey charging him in connection with the triple shooting in the Eastover Terrace neighborhood Monday afternoon. Eyewitness news has learned Ramsey has prior run-ins with law enforcement and court documents

describe him as a threat to the public. Ramsey now being held without bond at the Samson's County Jail, the conditions of the three victims still unclear. We're trying to piece together more about a Cumberland County murder mystery. A high-ranking detective, Captain Adam Bean, was found shot to death on the 1600 block of Seattle Slew Lane in Hope Mills. Investigators now releasing those 911 calls. On the call, you could hear someone crying for help and sobbing. The caller once identified as Tara struggled with answering questions from the dispatcher about what happened.

Now the investigation is in the hands of the FBI as they take the lead on this case. Hey, Tara, tell me exactly what happened. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Hey, everything secure the gun, secure. It's right here. It's everything. Right now, no one has been charged with Captain Bean's death. We have reached out to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the FBI, but there were no updates at this time. 512 and this morning we are learning Wake County is one of the fastest growing in the country. Straight ahead. Why so many people.

are choosing to call the triangle home. 515 and President Trump is taking executive action in a new effort to change the rules for mail-in voting. And he's also looking to create a national list of eligible voters. Legal challenges are already looming. Here's ABC's Lionel Moise. This morning, President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at cracking down on mail-in voting. It would create a federal list of citizens eligible to vote and would change how mail-in ballots

are processed. Trump, while signing the order, repeated unfounded claims of election fraud. It's horrible what's gone on. And it's very clearly covered very, very clearly. So I think this will help a lot with elections. The order would change the design of mail-in ballots to require barcodes from the Postal Service on envelopes to make them easier to track. If you voted by mail, you will have it on the envelope, obviously not on the ballot, but on the envelope. So we will know a million mail-in ballots.

There'll be a million envelopes, and you'll be able to know exactly correctly that citizens voted. Each state would also have to provide a list of eligible voters receiving mail-in ballots at least 60 days before an election. If they don't comply, they could lose federal funding. Critics are already promising to challenge Trump's order in court. The ACLU saying the Constitution is very clear. Only Congress and the states can make laws regarding our elections.

Senator Chuck Schumer saying, see you in court, you will lose. I don't see how they can challenge it. And remember, it's about voter integrity. We want to have honest voting in our country because if you don't have honest voting, you can't have really a nation. Meanwhile, another move by the Trump administration is making headlines, this time related to the investigation of anti-Semitism on college campuses. A judge is allowing the administration to collect a list of Jewish employees at the University of Pennsylvania. reaction was swift online. Critics expressing concern about where that list of Jewish names could end up.

The university now plans to appeal. The University of Pennsylvania says it's committed to confronting anti-Semitism, but says it does not maintain employee lists by religion. Lionel Moyes, ABC News, New York. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took in a performance at the Trump Kennedy Center last night. The first couple arrived in the presidential box suite to see the opening night of Chicago. During the intermission, people at the center applauded the president, President Trump, with some chanting USA. Center is set to soon undergo a $257 million renovation project that could take at least two years to complete.

All right, let's take a live look outside on this Wednesday morning, April Fool's Day, around the country. Congratulations if you celebrate. Here's a view of downtown Raleigh. 63 degrees outside, very mild overnight and temperatures warm. Some would say hot this afternoon. Would you say hot? 86 is that projected high? What I call that hot? Yeah, I want to go ahead and call it hot.

Call it hot. Yeah, it's more than warm. Call it nice. Yeah. All right. Nice and hot. Nice and hot. Also dry.

That's very true. Ring chances will stay low today all the way through Saturday. And then Sunday, there it is. Looking forward to that day with rain chances going up a little bit hot. higher 60% as our cold front approaches. And yes, we need the rainfall. This is the drought monitor issued last week. We'll get another update in tomorrow,

but in general, we still have that severe to extreme drought even for most of the area. Today we're looking at near record high temperatures in the mid 80s to upper 80s, 85 tomorrow, still in the 80s through Sunday ahead of our front and then Monday we cool back towards seasonal norms in the upper 60s. Here's a live look downtown,

mainly clear. Temperatures right now, generally in the 60s. We have some upper 50s and 70s. Sanford, Fayetteville, 60, 62, and Durham and Rocksboro, 63. Already kick in with the breeze early on. More of those gusts today, teens and 20. So this will contribute to the risk for fires to spread quickly, which is why the statewide burn ban continues for us today.

High temperatures north, mid-80s, same deal for the triangle, 85 Clinton Carborough, 84 degrees this afternoon. We should be in the 40s at night, but again, tomorrow morning will be in the 60s to start the day. There's that cold front. We're watching to approach by Sunday, but until then, it spends a lot of time to the west and north of us, giving us a chance to warm up above average today with those mid-80s, another round of similar conditions tomorrow with that Bermuda high offshore. It will turn a bit more humid in the days to come as well as conditions will build with the moisture ahead of that cold front. Now, let's talk Sunday. The American mod on the European right now are split on solutions and timing.

The GFS brings us in a little bit sooner during the early afternoon hours with the rainfall. The euro holds off a pit until later in the day. So those are the trends we'll be watching. We just got an update here on the euro showing higher rain totals around one inch or less. So hopefully that plays out for us because we really could use the rainfall, not only because we've been so dry, but because pollen levels are also high. Pine, oak, sweet gum, and cottonwood in the pollen count over the last 24 hours. and highs lot pollen level counts too through the weekend.

86 degrees a high today, 61 tonight. For tomorrow, another great day for a round of golf high temperatures in the low to mid 80s. For Easter Sunday, your sunrise service is still looking dry, partly cloudy, 64 degrees by the afternoon near 80 with that rain chance increasing. Here's your 7-day forecast powered by ACU weather. Sunday night, once that front passes, we do drop back into the 40s at night. 67 on Monday, Tuesday, seasonably warm with the high temperature. reaching 70 degrees. Weather and traffic together.

Anna, back to you. Well, on the map is clear so far for your Wednesday morning commute. No crashes, no congestion. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras. This is the 4440 interchange. You can see traffic still really light. And new census data shows Wake County

is one of the top growth areas in the country. New census numbers show the Raleigh-Carry metro area is now the 10th fastest growing in the nation. It's driven by people moving here from other states and countries. Many newcomers say strong schools, Job opportunities in tech and pharma and family-friendly communities are a key reason people are moving here. State leaders say the challenge is keeping up by investing in infrastructure, parks and services as communities grow at a rapid pace.

And we are just a few weeks away from the first air lingus flight from RDU to Dublin. Non-stop flights will take off starting April 13th, opening the first district direct gateway from the RTP region to Ireland. The Dublin flight will operate five days a week from the triangle right to the Emerald Isle. 522 now. Make sure you stick around for Good Morning America. Ahead at 7. The Point Guy live with ways to save on travel. And if you should book now with the cost of jet fuel doubling since this started the world with Iraq. Alerting you first. First alert weather on ABC 11. Good news. Gmail users, you can finally change your email address.

Here's ABC Sophie Flay with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, Google is letting you change your Gmail address without starting from scratch. Any user can now swap out their outdated, unwanted, or unfortunate usernames for a more suitable option. People will also be able to reach you through your old email address. Tesla has reportedly admitted that its robotaxies are sometimes driven remotely by humans. Wired reports the admission came in a letter from the company to a Massachusetts sales. Senator. Tesla's approach differs from other self-driving car companies, which mostly avoids remote operation. Finally, Amazon Leo will provide in-flight Wi-Fi on Delta flights beginning in

2008. Amazon satellite internet service will be installed on 500 Delta planes initially. The agreement is considered a blow to Elon Musk's Starlink, which already has Wi-Fi deals with several other airlines. Those are tech bites. A shout out from Durham Public School officials to one of their Another graduate from the historic Hillside High is heading back to the small screen. Joshua Suter has been cast as Andre in the upcoming Netflix series sequel to A Different World. That's the Cosby show spin-off about the college life that ran from 1987 to 1993. Suter also starred in the Hulu series, All Is Fair. That's exciting.

If you look at my social media feed, you think the different world reboot was the only show on television right now. Folks are very excited about it. Oh, that's your all-lub. It's good. High Drive watching. 526 is the time we are expecting a big warm up across the region. Take a live look outside of the Bull City and how high temperatures could climb today. Meteorologist Coylan Murphy has your first alert forecast.