ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - April 21, 2026

Episode Date: April 21, 2026

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See what's happening this instant. ABC 11 eyewitness news starts right now. Good morning, Carolina, and welcome on this Tuesday, April 21st. I'm Anna Rivera. And I'm Bianco Holman in for Joel Brown this morning. Thanks for waking up with us. As you can see, it's a first alert day. Meteorologist Quaylin Murphy tracking, a cold start to the morning.

Yeah, we have a freeze warning, frost advisory for areas around the triangle. Right now in the triangle, though, still at the 40s. But temps will fall in the next few hours. We'll talk more about that coming up. And the teenager hit and killed by an accused drunk driver. what we're learning about that driver and his connection to a Duke legend. State of the city, we're hearing from Durham's mayor ahead of his big speech tonight. But first, it's a time for weather and traffic together.

So we started out again cold. Yeah, cold again. And colder today, though. Actually not. Really? That's so interesting. Yeah, we were in the 30s at this time yesterday. We're still in the 40s right now for a lot of spots.

Yeah, but we still have the freeze warning. Granville County, Person, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Northampton County, until 8. Frost Advisory does include the triangle. right now and pushing off to the east too. But we are holding with temperatures still for the time being. What has been happening, though, over the last few hours is temperatures have been dropping with the clear skies and the light winds. So when I came in this morning, we were right around 46 degrees. We're now down to 41 degrees.

So you can see that temperature change. 32 in Lewisburg though, 36 in Oxford. So these are the spots that are a bit cooler than yesterday. But everywhere else were warmer right now. Sanford 41, Chapel Hill 41. Clinton, close to 50 degrees right now. Here the light winds from the northeast that will help sustain that frost potential

this morning with clear skies behind that cold front that's now to the south. So as we get ready for the bus stops this morning, 30s and 40s out the door, a lot of sunshine, sun sticks around through the afternoon today, but temperatures only in the upper 60s this afternoon. If you have some evening plans, we'll be nice and pleasant, a little coolish,

61 at 8 o'clock, upper 50s at 9 o'clock tonight. We're getting ready for some rain potential this weekend, A few showers possible. Still not a washout. We'll talk totals and the warming trend. When we get back to those 80s for highs that's coming up. Right now, our first check up weather and traffic together. Anna, over to you.

So, Kuala, I was trying to make this graphic really quickly. It looks like we do have some type of crash or road hazard at 440 near Western Boulevard. Trying to get more details on that. I looked at the DOT cameras and I couldn't see anything on it because it's really blurry. But again, we are showing a slowdown in that area. So I'm going to keep an eye on that. Let's take a live look outside, though, at the DOT cameras, because otherwise things do look really good. This is forwarding in aviation.

Those westbound lanes are starting to fill in, though. So just days after a shooting at the Triangle Town Center Mall, we will hear from Raleigh Police Chief on his plan to address the recent violent crime. So Tamara Scott, live in Raleigh, breaking down what we could hear from the chief Tamara. Hey, good morning. Yeah, lately we've seen a lot of major shootings happening in the city, and Chief Rico Boys today is expected to address the ongoing efforts to address those. recent violent crime. So just yesterday, Wake County leaders actually reviewed new juvenile crime data showing delinquent

complaints involving youth ages six to 17 dropped about 4.2% from 2024. But we've seen a lot of violent crime. Last Friday, three people were shot at a Triangle Town Center after police say a verbal authentication turned violent. And over the weekend, a man was killed in a shooting at a Raleigh apartment. Now in the past, Chief Boyce has continued to emphasize

community engagement, intelligence-led policing and strategic enforcement that that message is expected to extend today with strategic partnerships and an operational success discussion also on the agenda. Now he's expected to speak at 9 o'clock this morning so stay with us throughout the morning for all the updates. Back to you. Okay Tamara, thank you. And the Cardinal Gibbons community is heartbroken, remembering a 15-year-old freshman killed while riding his bike. Jack O'Shea was riding his e-bike on Saturday at Coal Mill Road and West Wyndham in Durham when Jack was hit and killed by a car. We've learned. the driver of that car arrested for a DWI is 26-year-old Joseph Savarino.

He's the grandson of longtime Duke men's basketball coach Coach Kay. Ali Jeffers, who represents the Durham chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, says stories like this are all too common. There's nothing new. And I would like to be at a point where we can talk about, discuss something else, discuss the fact that people outside enjoying the weather, having a good time, riding their bike to doing that thing. other than having to discuss someone's being injured or killed by an impaired driver.

Joseph Savarino was released on $100,000 bond, and this is the second DWI case and Coach Kay's family. Savarino's brother, Michael, was also charged with the DWI in 2022, sentenced to 12 months probation. In the meantime, a memorial for Jack O'Shea will be held Friday afternoon. In Durham, the countdown is on to the mayor's annual state of the city address. Sean Coffey live at the Deepak where Mayor Leo Williams will speak tonight. And Sean, you were able to speak up with the mayor as he was preparing for tonight's speech.

Yeah, that's right, Bianca. And he made it clear in our conversation yesterday that he will not be sugarcoating the areas where he feels like city leaders are not meeting the mark in his address tonight. That includes he said in the conversation around youth crime here in the Bull City. And while in the last quarterly crime update here in Durham, violent crime statistics were down. Williams told me yesterday that he's not sure that that's going to be the case. The next time city leadership hears from the DPD for a crime update and specifically thinks that not enough is being done to address youth crime prevention. He also said we can expect to get an update on a grassroots project that's been a focus for him, the Bull City Future Fund. Still, the mayor was quite clear yesterday that this will be a focus of tonight's remarks.

We have families that are not feeling safe in this community. They are in a few very concentrated neighborhoods and no one is talking about it. And when you look at our votes on city council, when you look at our actions, not what we say, but our actions, we're not meeting the mark. So I'm going to continue to speak about that. Williams told me last year's remarks here for the state of the city. We're really more about presenting a broader vision for the future of the city of Durham. And tonight he plans to lay out specific frameworks on several topics, including affordability, growth and gentrification, the crime you just heard, homelessness, among others. We'll have live coverage of that event later on tonight.

those remarks set to begin here at Deepak tonight at 6 p.m. Back to you guys. Okay, Sean, thanks. And happening today, parents, educators and advocates set to rally for education at the General Assembly. It comes as North Carolina remains the only state in the country without a budget. That means teachers not receive, have not received raises and that they're expecting. And organizers also call on lawmakers to fully fund public education by implementing the Leandro plan. The rally gets started at 10 a.m. And new this morning, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously. a resolution opposing a legislative proposal to take away local taxing authority. The General Assembly is considering a constitutional amendment that would put limits on how much

a city or county can raise property taxes. Last week, Durham County Commissioners also issued a resolution condemning the amendment. Electric bills are going up for people in Selma. The Selma Town Council voted to raise rates after the town's wholesale electricity supplier increased its price more than 4% on April 1st for a typical residential customer. that's an increase of about $8.60 a month. Larger commercial customers will have roughly 8% hike. Happening today, residents of the Care of a Cary mobile home park set to deliver a letter to a developer.

Asking for financial help in relocating. Families have been told they need to leave by June to make way for new apartments and townhomes. Some have lived in that community for more than 20 years. The town of Cary has pledged $800,000 to help offset moving costs. costs. Residents are asking the new property owners for another $2 million. 507 now we are tracking the impact of this drought. Oh yeah, water restrictions now in effect for Raleigh residents and now another local community taking step to conserve water. And a man opens fire on tourists and a popular stop in Mexico. What we're learning this morning and Qualen

also tracking some cooler temperatures this morning. Yeah, we're some spots. We're already in the 30s right now. That includes most of our northern counties in the triangle still in the 40s, but we still have the frost advisory until 8 o'clock this morning. Freeze warning for those of you north. We're getting you ready to warm it up though. We'll talk about that in my forecast. And right now the roads looking really good overall. Just tracking one issue near 440 and Western Boulevard. Let's take a look at those traffic hotspots brought by the first alert weather team. The ABC 11 First Alert forecast team is working to keep you safe. One is 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 11I Witness News. This episode is brought to you by Tell us Online Security. Oh, tax season is the worst. You mean hack season? Sorry, what? Yeah, cybercriminals love tax forms. But I've got Tellus Online Security.

It helps protect against identity theft and financial fraud so I can stress less during tax season or any season. Plans start at just $12 a month. Learn more at tellus.com slash online security. No one can prevent all cybercrime or identity theft. Conditions apply. 511, welcome back. We have a first alert day to start your Tuesday until 8th this morning. That's when our freeze and frost advisories and warnings will expire. We have temps right now down to freezing in Lewisburg, Roxborough 36 and Oxford 34 in South Hills.

So really definitely the best chances for frost and freeze will be to the north. Some minor frost potential around the triangle. None of that possible in the sand hills this morning. Light winds overall today, at least to start, we'll see a breezy setup. this afternoon and bright skies all through the afternoon. Temperatures will come in below average today by around five degrees in Raleigh. 69 in the triangle upper 60s in the sand hills, mid-60s for our northern counties this afternoon. But a nice day to be outside. It'll be pleasant.

Our average low temperature is 50 degrees. Tomorrow morning, not as cold will be in the upper 40s. Back to the 50s though starting Thursday through Friday. We're into the 60s Saturday morning and we're still holding in the 50 Sunday before temperatures fall closer to average into early next week. Along the coast, there's a moderate threat for rip currents from Carolina Beach to Topsel today, and then Hatteras up towards Kill Devil Hills. Bright skies at the coast, another round of 60s today. Wormer in the mountains.

We had 50s and 60s yesterday today, 60s and 70s under mainly sunny skies. Most of the country, rather quiet, a few showers around Texas, a few snow showers around the Great Lakes and some more rainfall building in from the west coast. Fire danger threat remains extensive from the plain states, even down into the southeast today. frost and freeze concerns to our north two with that cold or air settling in. 75 in Chicago, a chance for a few thunderstorms, 80 in Atlanta, New York City, 51, Orlando, 81, Denver, up to 85 this afternoon. Tomorrow we're tracking that warming trend. Your first alert that we get back to the 80s tomorrow afternoon, plenty of sun through late day as well, and definitely not as chilly in the morning hours tomorrow.

Tracking some better rain potential this weekend. We'll talk about how much rain we could see in terms of totals coming up in a few. Anna, Bianca, back to you. Kuelan, thank you. More local communities taking steps to conserve water as the drought goes on. The city of Rocky Mount moving to voluntary conservation stage one measures. Residents and businesses are being asked to limit outdoor watering, repairing leaky faucets and toilets, run dishwashers and washing machines only went full and turning off the water while brushing teeth or shaving. Town officials say this is only a precaution and water service remains fully operational. Of course, tens of thousands of people across Central North Carolina are dealing with the new water restrictions.

went into effect Monday in response to the drought. Those restrictions impact both residents and businesses. And you can find all the details about the water restrictions right now on our website at ABC11.com, the first alert forecast team also keeping you up to date on the drought conditions and our next chance of rain. Gunshots ring out at a popular tourist attraction in Mexico. What we're learning about the victims and a 14-year-old girl goes to a famous singer's home and is never heard from again. It's the homicide case making national headlines. And a big meteor shower tonight.

What you need to know before to get the best of you. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. A planned fight leading to a deadly shooting at a North Carolina park. Gunfire broke out at Linebach Park in Winston-Salem on Monday. And police say two young people met about 10 a.m. When their fight escalated, leading to several people exchanging gunfire. Five people are hurt and two were killed.

No word yet about anyone arrested or charges filed. Mexico's government says a Canadian tourist has been killed and 13 others injured when a man with a gun opened fire at a Mexico pyramid, a historic Mexico pyramid out there. So the tourist site is north of Mexico's capital. The shooter identified as a 27-year-old Mexican man later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Mexican president has sent her condolences. The singer known as David, who has tens of millions of streaming downloads, is facing murder and other charges. He's accused of killing a teenage runaway who was found dead in the front trunk of his car last year. The 21-year-old singer whose legal name is David Burke has pleaded not guilty.

And get ready to do some stargazing. The Lyrid Meteor shower is underway, and the peak night is tonight. If you see the shower zipping through the air, make sure you head out to somewhere that doesn't have any light pollution so you can see it for yourself. I wish I could stay up and watch it. Maybe there'll be something that's online that videos it. When you wake up during those pre-dawn hours. It'll still be going on. You can still see it.

That's the best time to see it. When you're driving into work. Yes, exactly. Skies will be clearer tonight too. And you may not mind the window being down tonight because we won't be as cold. We do have frost potential this morning. Tempts in the 30s for some of you, especially north of the triangle. Also freeze risk there starting tomorrow.

High's climbing to the 80s. And we do have a little rain in sight for the weekend. Some showers, but not a washout. We'll get into totals here coming up shortly. average high today, 74. Today we're running below average. So starting today, this will be our coolest day of our stretch. We'll be in the 80s starting tomorrow, close to 90 by Friday. Mid-80s on Saturday, right around average heading into Sunday of this weekend. Here's your frost and freeze alert, freeze warning for areas along in north of I-85. So Pereson County, Granville, Mecklenburg, and Virginia, and Northampton County frost risk everywhere else. This goes until 8 o'clock. So once the 8 o'clock arrives, the frost advisory, the freeze warning, expire. That's the end of our first alert day. Here's a live look into downtown. We have temperatures in the 40s in the triangle, upper 40s in Clinton, 40 in Siler City. It's all 30s, though, already north and west with some freezing temperatures out the door. Winds are much lighter this morning with those clear skies, too, so a good combination for us to see this potential. There's the front to the south, which helped to clear us out yesterday. Looking at temperatures in the mid-60s today, north, so below average this afternoon, upper 60s in Raleigh, and Durham Upper 60s along with Carborough, 70 and Fayville, Rayford, 7. This afternoon, nice evening temperatures in the 60s still bright skies through seven clear through 9, 10 o'clock tonight with temperatures by that time down into the 50s. Now tomorrow morning, not as cold. We're starting off in the 40s, so getting closer to average on those temperatures out the door early Wednesday.

Across the country, rather quiet. We're seeing some clouds working in from the west. Some of those will start to work in at times into Wednesday afternoon, but still a decent amount of bright sky. Temperatures tomorrow in the mid 80s at high pressure slides offshore. Temperatures get bumped up on Thursday a little bit higher in the mid to upper 80s. Warmer than Jacksonville, warmer than Atlanta in Raleigh for Thursday, New Orleans, 81 degrees. We have a front approaching this weekend, and that's going to bring us a slightly better chance for rain. Saturday, I bump the chance to 40%. A lingering shower Sunday right now looks like that chance is in the morning.

We'll be fine-tuning the timing, of course, into the latter half of the week. Monday, down to 20% with that rain potential. How much rain through the next seven days? still mainly less than one half of an inch of rainfall. You still have to go far west to find better rainfall accumulation. Pollin levels high, high, no change there. Sixty-nine degrees your height today. Overnight lows in the upper 40s, so definitely not as cold under those mainly clear skies. Eighty-four degrees tomorrow. It's Earth Day. 50s overnight, Wednesday night and the Thursday morning, 87 Thursday near 90 Friday, but the humidity is still low, so it won't feel so bad. Saturday, late-day shower possible. Temperatures in the 80s. Sunday were in the seven. so a little bit cooler with some lingering showers. And then Monday, mainly cloudy skies at high 75 degrees. Weather and traffic together. Anna, back to you. Kuala, nice and quiet to start off your Tuesday morning commute.

Our crash count still sitting at zero. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras. This is 885 at Ellis Road. You can see there are people out on the roads. You won't be alone, but traffic is still really light. The FAA grounding Blue Origins new rocket. That's ahead in your morning tech news. And Houston, it's on to the next mission.

We're learning about the Artemis 3 ship and its mission to head back around the moon. And we look ahead to Fayetteville's annual Dogwood Festival happening this weekend. So come on out and see us. The festival is celebrating its 44th year. It's a free community event at Festival Park in downtown that features some rides, performances, live performances, art and craft vendors for all ages. ABC 11, we're a proud sponsor. Alerting you first.

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In communities across Canada, hourly Amazon employees earn an average of over $24.50 an hour. Employees also have the opportunity to grow their skills and their paycheck by enrolling in free skills training programs for in-demand fields like software development and information technology. Learn more at aboutamazon.ca. First alert weather on ABC11. There's new fallout after blue. origin failed to put a payload into orbit. Here's ABC's Reno Roy with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, the FAA has launched an investigation after grounding Blue Origins' New Glenn rocket.

The rocket was unable to put its payload into the correct orbit during Sunday's launch. New Glenn is among several rockets grounded due to mishaps in recent years. Next, Amazon is making a third major investment in the AI company Anthropic. A new $5 billion commitment could be. be increased by another 20 billion if certain milestones are met. Amazon's first two investments in Anthropic totaled 8 billion. LinkedIn is letting its premium subscribers test competing AI models for free with a feature called cross-check. Subscribers can try out the latest models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and other companies within LinkedIn. The models aren't revealed

until you pick the one you like better. Those are your tech bites. I'm Rena Roy. Have a great day. the next step and America's return to the moon. So check this out. NASA employees and space contractors gathering in Louisiana for the rollout of the rocket that will take the Artemis 3 crew into space. It will now head to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida for an eventual launch. The Artemis 3 launching is set to take place in the middle of next year. It's scheduled to be the final mission before NASA since astronauts to the moon in 2028. 526 now and it is a first alert day. Yeah, meteorologist Quaylon and Murphy, She is tracking a cooler start to the morning.

And we're going one-on-one with Durham's mayor ahead of the state of the city address. What he'll be focusing on in tonight's speech. And the cardiac Keynes highlights from last night's big playoff win and double over time. We'll be right back.