ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - December 30, 2025

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

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Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, 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. now. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Tuesday. It's December 30th. I'm Joel Brown. Anna, still away for the holidays. Thanks for joining us. Right now, we are tracking colder temperatures throughout the viewing area, winter weather returning just ahead of the new year. Yeah, and with that wind, it feels even colder. Joel teens and 20s on the fields and not a big jump this afternoon. We'll talk about those afternoon fields in my forecast. Quail and a bomb cyclone bringing blizzards to the Midwest before turning east.

We'll take a look at which areas are seeing the worst conditions this morning and calls growing for the head of shop local Raleigh. To resign over a Facebook comment she allegedly made about a young transgender person, how one local business owner wants her to be held accountable. 5 o'clock in time for a first check of weather meteorologist Quaylin Murphy. You heard me mention the bomb cyclone is coming in from the Midwest. There's a lot of cold air blowing this way. Being dumped across the country pretty much. Everybody dealing with the cold.

We're not as cold as our friends to the north, of course. But for our standards, it is cold. 10 degrees below average today, the high 42 degrees with that wind still from the northwest. At least it won't be as brisk or at least as gusty as it was yesterday. But look at this change here, nearly 30 degrees. colder than yesterday morning. That's the view from Durham. These are your Raleigh conditions right now, 28 degrees, clear skies and 15 degrees at dew point. So the air is really dry. Maybe add some extra moisturizer to your routine for today. Winds are variable and pretty light for the time being, but they will kick up later this morning. Temperatures out the door. Mid to upper 20s around the triangle north, low to mid 30s from the area south around Irwin, Fayetteville to Clinton, Goldsboro, 31. But it feels like 18 in Burlington. That's one of our colder spots with the wind, 23 and south. Hill feels like the low 20s right now in Fayetteville and here are the winds from the northwest that more of that northerly component keeping us on the colder side with the fields we'll see gusts around 20 plus this afternoon back into the teens late tonight these are your dew point temperatures in the teens so an indication that the air is really dry you can see cloud-free conditions pretty much statewide a few clouds around the mountains with some snow showers and north of the mountains but we have dry conditions here at home so this afternoon feels like temperatures only low to mid-30 so bundle up today with that heavier coat good Good news is as we ring in the new year, we'll have dry conditions, just a few clouds, but still on the cold side, seasonably cold.

First day of 2026, partly cloudy and pretty pleasant around here. Our next chance for showers arriving this weekend. We'll talk more about that and a few minutes. Right now is a good time to download that free ABC 11 app so you can see how cold it is where you live. Plus you can always check the first Lord Doppler net forecast and seven-day forecast anytime. Joel back to you. Quailan, thank you. A still strengthening bomb cyclone is barreling across the northern U.S.

unleashing severe winter weather in the Midwest and aiming at the East Coast. The storm brought blizzard conditions, treacherous travel and widespread power outages Monday across the plains and Great Lakes. Forecasters say the storm intensified rapidly, meeting the criteria of what is known as a bomb cyclone. The sharp cold front left parts of the central U.S. waking up to temperatures 50 degrees colder than the day before. The winter storm impacting travel across the country, including here in the triangle.

Here's a live look at RDU and Morrisville. Right now, the airport reporting a few delays in cancellations today. The latest data from Flight Aware shows at least two flights in RDU have been already delayed. Three have been canceled. This morning, growing calls from some triangle business owners for the leader of Shop Local Raleigh to resign. This comes after a recent anonymous online comment that Jennifer Martin allegedly made dismissing transgender youth. Hundreds of people have now signed on to an online petition demanding Shop Local Raleigh. immediate action against Martin. Tamara, Scott live in downtown Raleigh this morning.

She's got more on the fallout. Tamara, good morning. Hey, good morning, Joel. Well, the post at the center of this controversy was made in a Facebook group, a parent asking for advice for their transgender child. Take a look at the post there. You can see there on your screen. A parent says that their child who is transitioning into a boy wants to play in an after school volleyball program for boys. And an anonymous member responded, Quote, there's no such thing as a transgendered son, blessings to you, but the sooner you help your son realize this, the more successful he, maybe a she, will be. Since then, an admin in the group who can see anonymous posts attributed it to Shop Local Raleigh Executive Director Jennifer Martin. Now local business owners previously associated with the organization are pulling back.

Shop Local Raleigh states that their mission is to support and uplift and be sort of a home for our local. local small businesses and I feel like what she did was not inclusive of our community and it just really rubbed me the wrong way and shop local Rowley did release a statement saying the common made does not reflect those of the organization we also reached out to Martin for comment but have not received anything back back to you all right we'll stay on it Tamara thank you a woman is dead and a child seriously heard after an apartment fire in Fayetteville firefighters responding to Kensington Court Apartments yesterday afternoon off Yadkin Road just after 1 o'clock.

Firefighters say they were able to get a woman and a child out, rushing them to the hospital, but were told 35-year-old Portia Quarles eventually died from her injuries. The one-year-old girl remains in critical condition. Investigators say they do not suspect foul play was involved in the fire, but the cause is under investigation. In Wake County, new court documents tied to the deadly shooting of a WakeMed police officer at a clinic and Garner reveal police are working to determine if the man charged with the murder was under the influence of THC gummies at the time of the incident. Benji Martin is charged with killing Officer Rogers Smith at the WakeMed Healthplex in Garner on November 8th. Two of Martin's friends took him to the emergency room that day because he was having a mental health crisis.

In court documents, both friends told investigators Martin used gummies in the past. Martin also worked at Carolindica, which police described as a THC and hemp dispensary. Police say they want to get surveillance video from the store that shows Martin at work that day before the shooting to observe his demeanor and his mannerisms. The Trump administration announced new funding for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. The program will award $50 billion over five fiscal years. The awards for each state range from $145 million to $281 million. North Carolina will receive a little over $213 million. The program is aimed at improving the health and well.

being of rural communities across the country. It's 506 and a model is accusing film and TV producer Tyler Perry of sexual assault and a brand new lawsuit. What he's seeking in the case, plus ringing in 2026 with sustainable resolutions. We're going to break down the simple steps you can take ahead of the new year to help lower your carbon footprint. First though, let's talk to Quayla. Yeah, right now we're finishing up 2025 with feels like temperatures in the 20, some teens

out there to clear skies. The 20, I'm going to feel like the 30s is sad. afternoon. A little bit of a warm up as we head into the new year. I have more on that in my forecast. Welcome back on this Tuesday. It's 509. We're tracking conditions around RDU. Nice and clear this morning. So kind of breezy out there. And it will be brisk at times today with those winds cranked up to around 20 plus as far as the gusts are concerned. Clear skies statewide. The exception of the mountains, just a few clouds hanging on and a few snow showers around the spine of the Appalachians too. These are current temperatures across the state. 34 Wilmington, 28 in Raleigh, 15 right now.

Now in Boone, it feels like the single digits in the mountains with the winds. Highs today in the sandhills around the mid-40s will be in the low 40s around the triangle, upper 30s north, but you factor in the wind today across the area. We're looking at feels like temperatures mainly low to mid-30s. For your evening hours, temperatures will settle into the 30s, closer to 30 towards 9, 10 o'clock tonight with clear conditions. In the mountains today, 20s and 30s only for highs, partly cloudy skies, brighter at the coast, but still chilly, high temperatures, low to mid-40s, so about 10 to 15 degrees. below average. More snow showers impacting the Great Lakes in the northeast and

rainfall around Dallas. Another little clipper system for the plain states too. A little break for Southern California right now as far as the rain goes with another round of rain arriving later next week. Wind impacts for the East Coast so it could see some travel impacts today. Warming up for the holidays Joel I'll have more on that when I come back. Okay Kuelan thank you. UNC men's basketball players and coaches are set to host their annual Carolina Basketball Holiday Kids Clinic. It's for kids from 1st through 6th grade. The clinic is tomorrow at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill. It's $75 per child. Nall proceeds benefit Chapel Hill area charities. There are still a few

slots remaining. The clinic for first through third graders runs from 9 a.m. to 1030. Fourth through sixth grade is from 11 to 1230. Duke football going bowling. The Blue Devils are heading to El Paso to play Arizona State in the Sun Bowl on New Year's Eve. Kickoff is tomorrow at 2 o'clock. And this weekend NFL football, returning to ABC, it's going to be a double header. The Panthers take on the Buccaneers at 3 p.m. The winner wins the NFC South. That is followed by Seattle and the 49ers at 7.30. It's all happening this Saturday, January 3rd, right here on ABC 11. And be sure to stick around for eyewitness news following the game. And make sure you stay around for Good Morning America today. What you need to know about the flu with cases of the virus

spiking across the country. And the new number's out this morning. Why it's important to get tested to get the you need and Beyonce now joining a very exclusive exclusive club the billionaires club will take a look at how the music icon reached 10 figures this year watch Amber Rupenta today on ABC 11 eyewitness news back at 515 and the new year approaching means it's time to start setting goals and intentions for 2026 and that can include our relationship with the earth. When we set our resolutions for the new year, there are ways for us to think sustainably for ourselves and the planet. ABC's chief climate correspondent, Ginger Z has more. As the ball drops and we ring in 2026 around the world, many people are setting goals for the upcoming year.

Whether losing weight or saving monies on your list, there are New Year's resolutions that can help us invest in ourselves and the planet. What's really cool is we get to think about what we get to add to our lives that will make our lives better. Sustainability goals can look as simple as shopping less to limit consumption, taking public transportation, of course, and eating plant-based meals. If it all sounds daunting, UCLA lecturer Tamar Christensen says, to get started, just think about places where you can make a difference. They can look at what kind of individual action they can take, what kind of political or governmental action they might be able to take, and then what kinds of corporate action they might be able to take. Christensen suggests breaking down sustainability goals into smaller, more professional. You can just say, maybe I'm plant-based before dinner, or maybe I'm plant-based on the weekends or just on the weekdays. And you can kind of like amp up slowly.

And I think this is the best way to build a really good habit that's going to stick. And it's going to be exciting and adventurous for you along the way and not feel like a burden. Additionally, Christensen says your mindset can help maintain the momentum and stick to your resolutions throughout the year. I think if we can think about the framing slightly differently, it's going to go a long way. What is our approach here? What do we care about? What are we enjoying about this process? Because if we don't enjoy the process, we won't keep doing it.

For some easy sustainability goals for the new year, Christensen suggests switching your toilet paper for recycled paper, changing your bank account to a local credit union to invest in your community, or making your own peanut butter in a food processor. With this Climate Minute, I'm Ginger Z. Fayetteville's annual Cool Springs District, New Year's Eve, spectacular is returning for another year of entertainment and activities for the fifth year running Fayville Festival Park, rather, is the place to ring in 2026. There's plans for food trucks,

children's activities, and lots of music, including Bubba Sparks. Young Jock is going to be at this show and R&B Group 702, ABC 11 together. Again, a proud sponsor. IWitness News will also be in downtown Raleigh as the clock strikes midnight. As the acorn drops ringing in 2026, first night Raleigh takes place right there on Fayetteville Street outside of our downtown newsroom. The celebration begins at 2 p.m. with the children's celebration. And if you're staying in tomorrow, we hope you will join us tomorrow night as we ring in the new year on television tuning for Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve with Ryan Seacrest. The fun starts at eight on New Year's Eve here on ABC 11. So whether you want to be outside or you want to be

inside. Just watch us. Take a look. Here's downtown Raleigh from our Pendo Sky Cam, 301, Hillsborough Street. Tomorrow night, we lit up, all kinds of things going on. I just want to hear young Joc say, meet me in a trap. It's going down. It's going down. It's going down tomorrow at Festival Park in Fayette. Indeed. We're going to have some nice weather around here for New Year's Eve. Not too bad. No rain to worry about. You'll just have to bundle up a bit. 41 degrees at 7 p.m. by midnight, 38 degrees. cloudy skies at that time and a trend of temperatures overall will be trending towards average today we're below average by around 10 degrees low 40s and then tomorrow back to 50 54 Thursday through Saturday a cold front comes through and that's

why Sunday will be a little bit cooler upper 40s that front also brings a shot at a few showers late Friday into Saturday the rain chances will be limited along with the rainfall totals too this morning though an abundance of cold air is with us we have a big drop in temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees colder than yesterday morning at this time. Upper 20s right now with a live look into downtown dormit feels like the low 20s when you factor in the wind. 32 is the current temperature in Clinton. Most other spots are below the freezing mark right now. Loaded mid 20s in Oxford South Hill. Burlington 26. It feels like 18 degrees in Burlington. It feels like 23 in Fayetteville. So you get the idea.

Definitely a much colder feel and a much colder feel this afternoon too. Thankfully the winds won't be as strong today as they were yesterday approaching 50 miles per hour on some of those gusts around RDU. Today we'll approach the 20. through the afternoon. Early evening, winds will settle a bit more. So high pressure building across the country for the most part. We do have a low pressure exiting around the Great Lakes in the northeast. That's why we still have some snow showers for areas to the north of us. But we're looking at dry conditions here at home with that cold air still locked in. This afternoon, upper 30s, low 40s on the highs, but it'll feel like the low to mid 30s with the wind. A few more clouds

late tonight. We'll have temperatures in the upper 20s, low 30s tomorrow morning. So another cold start to the day on Wednesday. By the afternoon, though, near 50s. 50 degrees winds coming in from the southwest Wednesday. We'll see a few clouds into early Thursday morning. Temperatures around midnight. New Year's Eve will be in the upper 30s, low 40s. As we head into Thursday afternoon, first day of the year, high temperatures, upper 40s and low 50s. So a nice start to 2026. Here's your recap today. 42 down to 25 degrees tonight. Here's your first alert 70 forecast powered by ACUweather. So as we head into Thursday, 54, day one of the new year and also a Keynes game. So not bad on the tailgating weather. Back to the 20s, Thursday. day night. Load to mid-50s on Friday and into Saturday, too, but Saturday we'll see a chance for a few showers with that front approaching. Front comes through, it drops to load down the 30s Saturday night. Sunday, the high temperature in the upper 40s behind the front, but right back at those 50s as we head into Monday, so more seasonable to start the new week. Joel. Quaylin, thank you. A New York Times report says Uber is letting many drivers flagged for sexual misconduct on the job, stay on the road. Straight ahead. We'll take a look at the Times findings, and you can now count. out with breaking news and the latest headlines with our ABC 11 eyewitness news podcast. Listen anytime or anywhere. Just follow ABC 11 eyewitness news wherever you get your podcast. We'll be right back. Watch Don Schwinnaker tonight on ABC 11 eyewitness news. Time now 524. Open AI has the help wanted sign out. The company is looking for someone to fill a stressful job centered on safety and security.

Past employees in that post haven't lasted long. Here's ABC's Hannah Batta with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, a new job listing at OpenAI. The company wants to hire someone to oversee safety systems amid fears that artificial intelligence could turn on us. The so-called head of preparedness will get a $55,000 salary. The CEO warns it will be a stressful job. Some say it'll be the most daunting role in the AI field. Uber is facing accusations that it's leaving drivers on the road despite sexual.

misconduct claims against them. The New York Times reports the companies allowed many drivers to work until they're accused of serious sexual assault. Uber says it responds to passenger claims based on several factors, including how specific an accusation is. And LG unveiling a TV meant to resemble framed artwork. When it's not being used for entertainment, it can show off personal artwork or photos, nowhere yet on the price. Those are your tech bites. I'm Hannah Baton. Good morning, filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry now facing a second accusation of sexual assault. According to the complaint filed in Los Angeles, actor Mario Rodriguez says he was subjected to a number of instances of sexual assault at Perry's home. He's seeking $77 million in damages.

A similar lawsuit was brought against Perry earlier this year. Actor Derek Dixon sued him in June for $260 million, accusing Perry of sexual harassment, assault and battery and retaliation. lawyer is representing both actors. Perry's lawyer called the lawsuits a money grab. Actor George Clooney and his family have been granted French citizenship. A new notice listing all new French naturalizations includes Clooney, his wife, Amal, and their twin children. Clooney has previously voiced concerns about raising his children in the glitz of Hollywood. He and Amal and a British Lebanese humanitarian lawyer are already familiar with their new adopted country. Clooney told the New York Times in February that their primary residence is a farm in France.

They also have homes in England and near his family in Kentucky. Now to a big milestone for music icon Beyonce, Forbes determining she has officially joined the billionaire club. She is the fifth musician to reach that milestone alongside her husband, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna. Beyonce's recent successes include her 2023 Renaissance World Tour, which grows nearly $600 million. The following year, she reinvented herself with the country album, Cowboy Carter. The tour for that album was the world's highest grossing concert tour of 2025.

527 now and winter officially making a comeback ahead of the new year. We'll take a live look outside of view of the Bull City at 527. How cold is it going to feel later this afternoon? Meteorologist Coylan Murphy has the forecast coming up next half hour.