ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - December 23, 2025

Episode Date: December 23, 2025

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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. All right, 5 a.m. Here we go. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Tuesday. It's December 23rd. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us. Right now, we are tracking some morning showers. Yeah, they're not going to last all day. So the showers are moving through right now in the triangle areas. even back to the west. When I come back, we'll talk about the temperature climb for today, my forecast. UNC at Chapel Hill is considering closing some of its university centers,

the reason behind this potential move, and who would be impacted? Preparing for the holidays. We're live at Durham Rescue Mission as they count down to their annual Christmas dinner and toy giveaway happening in just a matter of hours. Countdown to that. Time for a first check of your weather and your traffic together. Two days before Christmas meteorologist, Kuala Lerfee, lots of folks, including you, trying to get all that last.

last minute stuff done. And then I see some showers popping up on first alert Doppler net. Yeah, so some of you may not be able to dart out the door this morning. You have some wet conditions to deal with on the roads. Nothing too heavy, but of course enough

to make you slow down a little bit this morning. We have some showers over areas east of the triangle, also to the north of the triangle, right along I-8-5 and then back to the west. Raleigh still dry for now, but into Durham County and Orange County. We're seeing some rainfall. That extends into Mecklenburg County, too.

Associated with the disturbance to our north, with these showers kicking out of here mainly before lunch time today. I think most of us are done with the rain by 10, but I will say certainly by noon. We're all finished with the showers. We'll still have some clouds to kick off your early afternoon hours, but gradual clearing through the afternoon allows for sunshine. So a really nice end to our day. Here's a live look into Fayville right now where conditions are dry. We're at 36 degrees seeing a bit more cloud cover working into the sand hills now. And it's so chilly in the sand hills are cold this morning. We'll call it temperatures mid-30s and Clinton, 36 Fayville. We're a bit warmer right now in the triangle upper 30s. slow 40s out the door. Siler City, 38, 38, Rocky Mountain, Wilson, you're at 39 degrees. Light winds for now, but winds will start kicking up gradually into the afternoon. We'll have gusts in the 20s because we have that big ridge of high pressure building over our region with a system to the north. So the pressure gradient's a bit tighter for today. So in the teens later this evening, too, but that wind from the south keeps us very mild into tonight and tomorrow morning.

Let's look at today and we'll have cloudy skies through 10 breaking up by early afternoon, partly cloudy 62, to the upper 50s at 6 o'clock. When I come back, we'll take a look at that Cain's forecast for the evening. Right now it's a good time to download that free ABC 11 app. It's a great way to stay up to date on current weather conditions. And you can always check first alert, Doplinette. The 7-A forecast any time. A check of the roads now, weather and traffic together.

Anna, back to you. Quaylin, our crash count sitting at zero. Also not seeing any slowdowns. You need to worry that. You see a little bit of that green to the north, which is those showers that Quailan was talking about. You may see some wet roads if you're heading out. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras.

Maybe you're heading to the airport. This is a look at 40 in Aviation Parkway where traffic is moving nicely. And now to a developing story out of Texas. Five people are dead after a small plane crash near Gavleston. The Mexican Navy official confirmed to ABC News that the plane belonged to its institution and was on a medical support mission when it experienced an accident. Eight people were on board the plane when it crashed, and officials say five were killed. Two were found alive and one person is still missing. The crash occurred after three o'clock in the afternoon. yesterday near Galveston, approximately 50 miles southeast of Houston. The cause of this crash is under investigation. Kilmar Abreggo Garcia is set to remain free through the Christmas holiday.

That's according to the federal judge in his immigration case. The judge ordered Obrigo Garcia's release earlier this month after finding that an official, that officials had no viable plan to deport him. Back in 2019, an immigration judge barred his deportation to his home country of El Salvador. His mistaken deportation there in March has become a lightning rod in the immigration debate. Officials now say they will deport him to a third country. The Department of Education says it will review safety protocols at Brown University. It follows the mass shooting earlier this month that left two students dead and hurt nine others.

In a news release, the DOE says it will investigate whether the school violated an act requiring universities to meet certain campus safety and security requirements in order to receive federal student aid. The news comes after Brown placed its university police chief on administrative leave, while an after-action review of the shooting takes place. UNC Chapel Hill now considering closing some university centers because of budget reductions. The university says 14 centers and institutes are ultimately sent to be decommissioned. It's part of a plan to reduce spending by $7 million over several years. Of that group, the university says six have been reportedly informed. They will be impacted, including the center for Slavic, East European, and Eurasia.

studies. That center's director says the leaders of impacted centers have requested a meeting with the chancellor and the provost, but have not heard back yet. He says their work has far-reaching impact. We bring the world to Carolina. We bring an extraordinary array of figures from culture, from politics, from the arts, from industry to Carolina to speak and to interact with our students. We also make it possible for students to go abroad. We provide the contacts that will allow them to really, you know, make the best use of their time there. Okay, so the potential impact on staffing is not yet clear. In a statement, a university spokesperson wrote in part, a number of factors were taken into

consideration while evaluating centers and institutes and some programs have been identified to be sunset in 2026. The list is not finalized at this time. Recognizing the scale of these changes, leadership is prioritizing thoughtful, transparent communication with further updates plan for January as we present the plan to the board of trustees. The North Carolina DMV is preparing to open several new locations. The agency opened an office in the town of Garland and Samson County. It's the smallest of the four. The agency says the other three locations will be larger and serve fast-growing parts of Brunswick, Cabarris, and Wake counties. Those offices will open in February. 5.06 now, the Durham Rescue Mission is preparing for

its annual Christmas community dinner and toy giveaway. It is an all-night effort to get ready and all that effort pays off today for local families who need it the most. Jemise Price live at the mission right there on Main Street in Durham where volunteers are setting up and putting finishing touches on all that food. Jemise, how's it going? More importantly, maybe how's it smell? Yes. Good morning, Joel and Anna. This is our favorite time of the year here at the Durham Rescue Mission for that community

dinner and toy giveaway right now. You have those turkeys coming off the grill. Volunteers are here and now they are starting to cut and shred the turkey here. So you can see it. We have the assembly line kind of going right now. Those turkey is coming off the grill and then the other work to make it ready for the dinner. Well, lunch that will happen a little bit later today. So we know volunteers cooking up about 150 turkeys, 200 hams for families who show up for the toys and groceries.

People are just looking for a warm meal. They know they can get it here at the community dinner, the toys, the foods, the gift cards, all of that going to families across the triangle who are struggling to make that dollar stretch. So doors open here to the public around 11 o'clock, but we know that families start lining up here early. So we will be here all morning long showing you the prep and all the steps that folks are making here to make sure that the community dinner is a success in all the kids here. in the community will have a big smile on their face today. I'll sit it back over to you guys, Joe, Anna. Making sure every belly is full and every child has a toy under the tree this year. Love to see it.

Jemise, thank you. It is 507 on this Tuesday morning. Right now, TSA preparing for record holiday travel, the record number of flyers expected to be screened during the holiday season. Across the country, people are preparing for dangerous weather as the holiday travel rush kicks in. We'll take a look at which areas with the most serious conditions. And this morning we're tracking a few light showers. Nothing too serious here at home, but some wet roads as you're heading out. Good news is for the commutes that we'll be drying out towards

lunchtime today. We'll be in the 50s by then. If you're tailgating ahead of the Cain's game, some nice weather for you. 60s with sun. I'm going to have your full forecast coming up. It's 5 to 11. Welcome back on this Tuesday morning. We're tracking some really light showers. part to the area right now. Raleigh is still dry. We have some light rain just to the north of Ralea along I-540 and then back towards Sanford seeing some light showers and light rain over Durham and also stretching north and east along I-85 off to the east as well. Dry condition still for R&U and also rather quiet too clouds this morning, temperatures and 40s but will be dry by lunchtime today and then highs will climb into the low to mid-60s with a breeze through the afternoon. Nice weather for the Keynes game in the 50s through evening pretty steady on the temperatures overnight. A little bit warmer tomorrow but then for Christmas. Christmas Day, temperatures calm down a bit more. We'll have your full forecast coming up, Anna, back to you. Okay, Coelan, thank you. Airports across the country are gearing up for what is expected to be an extremely busy holiday

travel season. The Transportation Security Administration says it's fully staffed and ready to screen more than 44 million travelers during the holiday period that began on Friday and run through January 4th. That would be a record if those projections hold up. Passengers arriving at the airport will see some changes from a year ago. TSA now requires travelers to have. have a real ID. The agency also has a new pre-check line for members of the military and other

uniform service members. If you've still got some holiday shopping to do several local malls are extending their hours. The streets at South Point Mall in Durham opens at 10 in the morning and closes at 9 tonight. On Christmas Eve, South Point opens for last minute shoppers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. over in Raleigh, Crabtree Valley Mall open until 10 tonight. Christmas Eve, that mall will be open from 9 a.m. to 6. Over in Fayetteville, Cross Creek Mall is open until 9 tonight. Christmas Eve hours are 9 to 5.5.5.12 is the time now. Just a year after legendary coach Bill Belichick landed that job at UNC. Another high-profile coach may be joining the staff in Chapel Hill. That story just ahead. And the Kansas City Chiefs are relocating

to Kansas. What we know about the new stadium and when it's expected to be complete. Watch every. Get you and your crew to the big shows with Go-Chance. Transit, Go connects to all the main concert venues like TD Coliseum in Hamilton and Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto, and Go makes it affordable with special e-ticket fairs. A one-day weekend pass offers unlimited travel across the network on any weekend day or holiday for just $10. And a weekday group pass offers the same weekday travel flexibility from $30 for two people and up to $60 for five. Buy yours at go-transit.com slash tickets. Groupenta, today on ABC 11, eyewitness News.

the dangerous weather putting millions of people at risk. The most serious conditions are in northern and southern California. Reparations for days' worth of heavy rain are well underway and recently burned areas around Los Angeles. The weather is also affecting other parts of the country with so many holiday travelers on the move. ABC's Hannah-Btaugh has the latest. This morning from coast to coast, people are preparing for dangerous weather as the holiday travel rush kicks into high gear. In Southern California, residents in areas ravages. by wildfires are laying out sandbags and tarps, while crews reinforce barriers to help prevent mudslides. I'm a little scared because of the debris flow. Millions north of Los Angeles are at

high risk for excessive rainfall and flooding as a storm moves in today and is expected to last through the week. And Northern California is bracing for more severe weather after rounds of heavy rain and mountain snow pummeled the region. One woman in Humboldt County had to be rescued after her vehicle became submerged in rising floodwaters. This week's storms in California are being fueled by an atmospheric river. Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered state agencies to pre-position emergency crews and equipment to respond rapidly ahead of this next round of storms. Meanwhile, in Texas, heavy fog created treacherous travel conditions and may have contributed to a deadly plane crash. At least five people were killed after a small Mexican Navy plane crashed into the water

near Galveston. We're still searching for people inside there. right now. The plane was transporting a young medical patient and seven others. One person is still missing. In the east from New York City to Boston, a quick burst of rain and snow could create slick conditions on the roads during this morning's commute. This all comes amid a record-breaking holiday travel season. More than 122 million Americans set to travel more than 50 miles from home this holiday season. That's a record. And here at LaGuardia Airport, one American flight set to take off every 10 minutes. Hannah Bataa, ABC News, New York. Sunday is expected to be the busiest day for TSA with nearly 3 million people flying.

All right, let's take a live look outside this morning of you of downtown Raleigh from the Pendo Sky Cam. I'm heading home to Philadelphia later tonight where I think they're going to get that quick burst of snow and maybe some other winter stuff. Today. You want my trapper hat? What's that? You want my trap. I've got my own. Thank you.

We will only be dealing with scattered showers. Very light stuff today. Very light showers this morning and really low rain chances. really low rain chances overall through the rest of the week. And much warmer here than it's going to be. I looked at the seven day last night. I was so jealous. Yeah.

You can always stay. It's not going to be like that in Delaware. You can always stay. And then I don't have grandparents around if I stay here. Okay, well, in that case. So I could drop him off with Joel. That's right. Uncle Joel.

First alert, Douthwinnett. We're tracking some light rain this morning, south and west of the triangle of Raleigh. And we're seeing some rainfall north and east as well in Toronto Crapids. Mecklenburg County, too. This rainfall will not last all day. We'll be dry by most of us by 10 a.m., but by noon for sure, for all of us. Temperatures in the 40s and 30s this morning will be in the 50s by noon today with highs, low to mid-60s and bright skies to take us through the afternoon. A warming trend takes over through Christmas Day, and we're looking at temperatures in the 60s, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday's going to be a little bit cooler for us. We'll have a front nearby that's going to push through so it drops us into the 50s, but then warm again for Saturday and Sunday. So Christmas morning, 45 degrees, with, maybe a stray shower to the north of the triangle. It's isolated at this point, 67 degrees by 3 p.m. So there's a weak disturbance tracking through right now.

That's where we're seeing some rain showers. Light look over Fayetteville where it's dry where clouds increasing as well, 36 degrees. 35 in Willow Springs, Clayton 36. Around the triangle, though, definitely warmer than yesterday at this time. Lodemitt 40s from RDU to Durham, upper 30s in Chapel Hill. In Roseville, it's 39 degrees, Zebulon, 37, 37, and Oxford, South Hill 38. And those 30s also around Fayetteville, Clinton, and Pinehurst, the max in 37 degrees central part of the country is rather quiet that ridge of high pressure taking over it's going to expand our way that's why we'll get to enjoy some warming conditions into christmas day also looking at conditions to be really nice for the weekend so this is noon today dry conditions skies clearing out temperatures low to mid 60s tonight will not be as cold your first alert that most of us will start in the 50s tomorrow morning maybe some 40s to the north and then we'll see lots of sunshine for the good part of the afternoon hours and then 60s by the afternoon wednesday as we head into wednesday

night, Thursday morning. There's a chance for a straight shower on Christmas day. It's mainly to the north. Temperatures will be in the 50s for Christmas morning and then by the afternoon will be in the upper 70s. Some spots will be close to the upper 60s, low 70s on Thursday afternoon. So we're going to see a nice warming trend overall. As we head into Friday, a little bit cooler. First day of quads of 56 degrees was that front pushing through. And then this weekend, temperatures climb again, upper 60s and some low 70s possible. Now our next front comes through Sunday. That one, whoa, big changes for us. brings us down into the 40s for high temperatures Monday and Monday night down into the 20s.

But with the wind Monday night, it's going to feel like the teens around here into Tuesday morning. Back to you. All right, Coelan, so right now the road's looking really good. Our crash count is pretty low. We do have our first crash of the morning, though. And of course, you see that green. That's where some of those wet roads are. If you are getting ready to head out, you want to be mindful of that.

But otherwise, this is that one crash we were talking about. It's at Birkwood Lane and Larchwood Drive. It's one of those side streets. It's not causing major delays. doesn't have any injuries involved. I just want you to know that you may see some flashing lights in that spot. Stick a live look outside. This is 440 and Wake Forest Road where it is very, very quiet. As we wind down the year, ABC News is looking back at the biggest breakout stars, the biggest heroes and newsmakers that had everyone talking. Join Good Morning

America co-ancher Robin Roberts for the year and special, the year 2025. It is Monday, December 29th, 8 p.m. right here on ABC 11 and streaming the next day on Disney Plus and Hulu. 521 is the time now and make sure you stick around this morning for Good Morning America. Ahead at 7 o'clock, a holiday travel alert, the warning about driving near semi-trucks and how you can avoid their blind spots. An online retail platform, Instacart, pulling the plug on its controversial AI-driven pricing tool. We'll break down what you should know. And you can now catch up with the breaking news and the latest headlines in the ABC 11, IWitness News podcast.

You can listen anytime or anywhere. Just follow ABC 11-I-Witness News wherever you get your podcast. Stay with us. Watch Don Schwinnaker, tonight on ABC 11-I-Witness News. 525 and Instacart is ending a controversial AI-powered practice. Here's ABC's Hannah-Bottah with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, Instacart will no longer allow price testing on its platform. The FTC was investigating the practice after reports revealed,

customers were being charged more than others for the same items. Instacard insists these experiments by retailers were aimed at lowering prices. Next, the Trump administration has banned foreign-made drones and their critical components in the U.S. A statement from the FCC says they pose an unacceptable risk to national security. The ban does not affect older drones or their parts that are already in the U.S. And finally, Chat GPT is launching a year-end review like Spotify Rapped. Users will get an overview of chat stats, including number of overall chats and messages sent. There is also a personalized award of the Apple will create a poem based off your topics of interest.

Those are your TechBites. I'm Hannah Baton. The Kansas City Chiefs are moving across state lines. The NFL team announced plans to move the franchise's headquarters from Missouri to Kansas. It'll also move into a new stadium. Kansas City straddles the state lines of Kansas and Missouri. So the move won't be far. The chiefs say the planned new stadium in Kansas will be a dome, and it's projected to be ready for the chief's 2031 season. Another big-name football coach could be coming to UNC Chapel Hill.

ESPN now reporting that UNC is working to hire Bobby Petrino as the program's next offensive coordinator. Petrino known for creating explosive offenses most recently served as interim coach in Arkansas. UNC's offensive coordinator, Freddie Kitchens, was fired earlier this month after the Tar Heels ranked 13. first nationally in Bill Belichick's first year as head coach in Chapel Hill 526 is the time and right now we are tracking showers across the viewing area let's take a live look outside this morning. A view of the Bull City. Good morning Durham. How much rain we could see today and meteorologist Quayla Murphy joining us with our forecast straight ahead. And breaking overnight a family left without a home this morning after a house fire in Cumberland County what we know

about the investigation underway.