ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - February 11, 2026

Episode Date: February 11, 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 a midweek edition of Good Morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Wednesday. It's February the 11th. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. This morning, we are tracking the chance for light showers across the viewing area. Yeah, not much going on right now. Some sprinkle and drizzle and spot.

but there's more moisture to the west. I'll time out when you can expect better coverage in my forecast. And this morning on eyewitness news, a person of interest detained, then released in the search for Nancy Guthrie, what we know right now. And the mayor of Kerry set to deliver his state of the town address will break down what we can expect. And a health alert in Wake County, a person with measles visiting multiple places in Raleigh. What you should do if you became exposed? We'll run down where that person was. Time for a first check of weather and. and traffic together. Meteorologist Quatlin Murphy joins us now. Boy, yesterday was nice. Today won't be bad either. Today won't be bad. We have some morning showers that we'll get through and then by the afternoon. We're dry again and back to some sunshine and warmer than average temperatures. This morning for the bus stop. The kids do not need the heavy coats by any stretch, but I think you want to send the umbrellas with them for some light shower potential. Pick up. This is not a mistake. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 50s this morning on the way home. We'll be in the low 60s by that time. I expect partly cloudy conditions and dry skies out there.

Here's first of our Doppler net with some cloud cover. Also we're looking at some spotty light drizzle around parts of Hoke County, just south of Rayford, north of Rayford, also seeing some light showers around southern pines. And now it's a spring Lake Cumberland County with that drizzle. Out to the west though, more activity with some rainfall that's along ahead of the cold front that will track through later today. So I think by 7, 8 a.m.

We'll have more scattered showers. So conditions will turn wetter for those morning commutes through 9 and 10 o'clock. I think by noon today we're drying out and skies will gradually clear through the afternoon. So we'll see some sunshine. Here's a live look into downtown. The skies are cloudy, but oh boy, look how much warmer we are compared to yesterday. Mid-50s to low 60s, 36 degrees warmer in Smithfield, 32 degrees warmer in the Clinton area. The winds coming in from the southwest will continue ahead of that cold front.

So temperatures today will be in the 60s colder tonight, though. We'll talk more about those changes into the weekend when I come back. Our first check up traffic right now, weather and traffic together. Anna, back to you. Quaylon, this is exactly the map you want to see. Our crash count sitting at zero. Also, no congestion to be seen. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras.

This is the 4-440 interchange and traffic. It's really light. I'm in the breaking news center now tracking new developments in the search for Nancy Guthrie, a person detained, then released overnight. Here's what we know. The person was detained during a traffic stop. About an hour's drive south of Tucson. Authorities executed a search warrant at a home and also searched a car,

A law enforcement official said the person has not been charged. Those developments happening just hours after the FBI release doorbell camera footage from outside Nancy Guthrie's front door. Taken the night she disappeared. The video shows that masked armed person with a backpack, Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts still unknown this morning. Meantime, we are also following breaking news out of El Paso, Texas right now, where the FAA has issued a temporary flight restriction to and from the city. The restriction prohibits all aircraft operations. Officials only saying it is security related. We'll continue following that breaking story more as we get it.

Happening today, Carrie Mayor, Harold Weinbrecht, holding the state of carry to the cart chambers this morning. This recently, the town has been dealing questionable financial choices by the former town manager. Bianca Holman, live in Carrie with what we can expect. Good morning, Bianca. Hey, good morning, Anna. So that presentation is due to start later this morning at Prestonwood Country Club. And the mayor not shying away from the challenges that they had at the end of last year, 2025. And so he plans to address that in his presentation later on this morning.

And so especially regarding the end of 2025, where former town manager Sean Stiegel stepped down after an audit revealed financial issues, including a questionable land deal and council member Lori Bush and also council member Lori Bush's tuition being paid for by the town. Mayor Weinbeck plans to highlight their efforts to be as transparent as possible, as he will share more details regarding that investigation. The mayor also addressing some of the town's wins, such as awards regarding safety from Ford's magazine to having the state's lowest unemployment rate. And there are other updates in areas such as the sports venues and entertainment that's here, housing, where Kerry expanded opportunities for ADUs, those small dwelling units. And they plan to build a new mixed income housing development near Fenton. of course and the more businesses coming to downtown area. And so that program is due to start at 7.30 at the Preston Wood Country Club.

We plan to be there and bring you an update. Back to you. Okay, Bianca, thank you. And now to a gas station shutdown in Raleigh, after reports of shots being fired. Our crew captured this video last night at the BP on New Bern Avenue. Details are limited, but you can see the entire gas station was shut down. Raleigh police also say they have not located a victim will keep you updated as we learn more. The sentencing hearing for Headingham mass shooter Alston Thompson continues today. Eyewitness news was in the courtroom as Austin's mom once again took the stand yesterday and there were no warning signs.

I know he did this horrible crime and that he has to pay for this crime. And I just hope that after the, I believe someone told me a 40-year sentence that hopefully he can be re-evaluated and have a mental analysis with another neurologist and whatever else needs to be done to see if he can be go back into society if he's capable of doing that. Elise Thompson also testified saying she talks and sends items to Austin weekly. A psychiatrist for the defense took the stand and said he still doesn't know why Thompson carried out the deadly shooting spree. Thompson pleaded guilty to killing five people, including his own brother in October 2022. The sentencing hearing continues today at the Wake County Justice Center.

The meantime, a Wake County grand jury has formally indicted the man accused of killing a Raleigh school teacher inside of her home. Ryan Camacho is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary. Authorities say Camacho, a repeat offender broke into Zoe Welsh's home and killed her back in January. She was on the phone with 911 when she was attacked. Welsh was a biology teacher at the Ravens Cross School. the school having a celebration of life for the beloved teacher on March 29. Meantime, the investigation continues into the deaths of two teenagers in Vans County. Authorities were called to a home on Torrey Drive Monday night, about 15 minutes northwest of Henderson. A 17- and 13-year-old victims were found dead.

We're still working to get answers from the sheriff on this. He told eyewitness news yesterday afternoon that he has no update on the case and did not answer a series of questions we asked. And now to a health alert unfolding in Raleigh, someone in federal. with measles went to several public places while contagious. Now health officials are warning anyone who may have been exposed to get tested. Our Tamara Scott is live from the Wake County Health Department with the breakdown of what we know. Good morning, Tamara. Hey, good morning.

And I, uh, Wake County health officials are saying this person was contagious and are now urging people who might have been in the same area or exposed to monitor for their symptoms. So we know that this infected person was in Briar Creek and in North Raleigh, last Thursday, visiting a gym, a restaurant, and two Harris-Teater locations. Mount measles is a respiratory disease that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can also spread through contact with bodily fluids. This exposure comes as the nation deals with several outbreaks, including one in South Carolina. We talked with a Duke doctor who says tracing this disease is complicated and they're relying on folks to speak up if they're ill. You're not contagious during that phase when you're incubating.

become contagious really when you become symptomatic. So there's no risk for people who feel well. But if you knew you were at one of those venues, if you know you're unvaccinated and you get a fever within that time window, please raise your hand and make yourself known to your health care provider. And the doctor says that some symptoms to look out for are flu-like symptoms, a high fever, diarrhea, and a skin rash. He insists that you check with your doctor if you start to feel ill.

Back to you. Okay, Tamara, thank you. 508 now this morning, the new fallout after President Trump's Commerce Secretary appeared in the latest batch of files linked to convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Straight ahead why several legal aid offices are closing across this state and the communities directly impacted. This is First Alert Weather from ABC 11, I Witness News. 511. Welcome back on this Wednesday morning. Dry for now. Here's a light look from R.DU. A little breezy out there. And it's also quite mild. Temperatures in the 50s, but we have some rainfall not too far away. some really spotty drizzle for some southwestern portions of the area around Hoke County, Harnett, and also into parts of Moore County, too. But there's more rainfall west with the front.

So expect some scattered showers possible through around lunchtime today. Highs in the 60s. Colder tonight. We'll talk more about that coming up, Joel. All right, Kuelan, thank you happening today. Breaking ground on the first ever mosque built from the ground up in Southeast Raleigh. Construction begins today on the Asalam Islamic Centers on Anson Drive between Newbern Avenue and Pool Road. The mosque will host religious, educational, and cultural activities. Legal aid of North Carolina announcing it is closing nine of its offices as a statewide funding freeze continues.

The nonprofit provides legal help to survivors of domestic violence, veterans fighting for benefits, and people in need of disaster relief. Among the nine offices closing across the state, too, or here in our area, including Rocky Mount and Henderson. Right now, Durham Public Schools are looking for bus drivers. A hiring event is happening on Saturday, February 21st. Southern High School from 9 a.m. until noon. You can expect all in the spot interviews as well as learn and learn about the training benefits and available opportunities. 512 now President Trump releases the latest renderings of the $400 million White House Ballroom Project. We'll take a look. Straight ahead, we're going to break down what we know about the Pentagon's plans to send 200 troops

to Nigeria. This is breaking news from ABC 11. I Witness News. 515 and we are We are back in the Breaking News Center following a new police investigation underway right now in Durham. Breaking News 1 on the scene at this home on Cheek Road in East Durham. We know Durham police were responding to a report of a stabbing there. We're working to get more information. We'll bring you the update as we get it. New fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. President Trump's Commerce Secretary is facing new pressure to resign.

ABC's Nicole D' Antonio has the details. It was just recently that Commerce Secretary Howard Lueyne Lettnick claimed Jeffrey Epstein alluded to sexual encounters while giving Letnik and his wife a tour of his New York City home back in 2005. My wife and I decided that I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again. So I was never in the room with him socially,

for business, or even philanthropy. If that guy was there, I wasn't going because he's gross. That's my story. A one and absolutely done. But yesterday, while appearing before a Senate subcommittee, Lutnik acknowledged that he met with Epstein a handful of times after touring his home. That was four years after Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor.

I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies. Lutnik yesterday insisted his relationship with Epstein was limited. I literally met him three times over 14 years. I have nothing to hide. Absolutely nothing. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is commenting for the first time after a document came to light, claiming Donald Trump called Palm Beach Police back in the mid-2000s,

after learning that police were investigating Epstein. The police chief at the time recalling that Trump said, quote, thank goodness you're stopping him. Everyone has known he's been doing this. Trump has long denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes. What President Trump has always said is, that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club because Jeffrey Epstein was a creep, and that remains true in this call.

Nicole D. Antonio, ABC News, Washington. As for Lutnik, the White House is standing behind him, saying the president fully supports the secretary. Let's take a live look outside, now with the view of downtown Raleigh from a Pendo Skycam at 301 Hillsborough Street. I have to tell you. What's you say? It was like people were coming out of the woodwork.

I saw my neighbors for the first time yesterday. In months. Yeah, other than getting in their car. Yeah, y'all still live here? Hey, what's up? Isn't it beautiful? Yes, it was so nice just to see everyone out and about. I think people were relieved yesterday.

Yeah, it was so nice. Did you go for a run? Did I go for a run? No, I didn't talk myself out of that. You know, when he asked- But my dog walk was very pleasant. When he has to ask you the question again that you just posed to him,

he's thinking about to no dog. Yeah, yeah. Well, today you can redeem yourself if you like Joel, this afternoon. We'll have some drier weather this morning. We will have some spotty light rainfall. Temperatures will climb into the 60s today. So not as warm as yesterday is high of 70 at R&U, but we'll still be above average today. Cooler than average tomorrow and Friday behind the front. We get back to 60 Saturday and then our next system comes in Sunday and Monday. It brings some rainfall and some cooler conditions, relatively speaking. Here's first alert Doppler net. We're still relatively quiet too. Rain wise. It's a few areas of pockets of drizzle around parts of Cumberland County and Hoke County. Also a few areas of light drizzle.

showing up around Halifax too. We'll have some rainfall towards seven, eight o'clock this morning, continuing through lunchtime, very light showers. By the afternoon, dry conditions, I'm still gonna leave in an isolated shower chance in early afternoon, but most of us drying out behind that front. Here's a live look into downtown Raleigh. We have cloudy skies, but it's so warm.

Temperatures 50s and low 60s right now, so you definitely do not need that big coat today. We're gonna have some breezy conditions at times. You can see how the wind direction switches by mid to late morning. That's the front passing through. So the air is gonna turn drier, and we'll have more sunshine,

by late day. Upper 50s at 9, still some showers by noon. Most of us finish with the rain. Cloudy skies, low 60s, low 60s here at 3 o'clock and partly cloudy behind the front, though. We turn colder tonight to get ready for a batch of 30s tomorrow morning. Here's the front starting to push into the state right now. You can see the rain to the south and west of that front. Here we are at noon 1 o'clock today, drier conditions with that gradual clearing happening. So we'll see more sunshine northwest to southeast throughout the day by 5 o'clock. We're drying out, certainly and clearing out too. 30s tomorrow morning with another. ribbon of clouds passing through, but high pressure starts to build in by Thursday afternoon.

Temperatures will be in a low 50s tomorrow afternoon. And on Friday, we could see a few passing clouds, but still bright skies with high temperatures right around 50 degrees on Friday. If you're heading some plans for Valentine's Day, around 4 p.m. Saturday, we're looking at temperatures near 60 degrees by 7 p.m. near 50 and then mid 40s at 10 on Valentine's night. Mainly cloudy skies in Chile, the rain chances start to climb on Sunday. So I think by daybreak we'll have some rainfall turning locally heavy into late morning and early afternoon. So it's definitely some soaking rainfall on the way for Sunday.

High temperatures today in the 60s. Lowes tonight down to the 30s. So bring out the heavier coats tomorrow, maybe an added layer. 52 Thursday afternoon, breezy and cooler. 20th Thursday night. So Friday morning will be colder. 51 Friday afternoon under mainly sunny skies. Clouds increase for Valentine's day.

The high near 60. Not a bad start to the weekend, though. Soaking rain Sunday, 54 degrees. day we're drying out temperatures near 60 low 60s Tuesday and that warming trend through next week as well with temperature is approaching 70 by next Thursday weather and traffic together Anna back to you. Hoyland really quiet on the roads right now our crash count is still sitting at zero. We're also not seeing any slowdowns. It looks like we do have an icon that just popped up on 540 in southern Wake County. I'm going to take a look at that soon as I have more details. I will let you know. But let's take a live look outside of the DOT cameras. This is 40 in Rock Quarry Road. Seeing those West Bell lanes start to fill in just a little bit. But overall, things looking really good so far for your Wednesday morning commute. And make sure you stick around for Good Morning America.

Ahead at 7, the new study on the benefits of exercise in helping with depression and anxiety and the types that work best to help improve your mental health. Get your first alert forecast powered by AccuWeather. Two idiots are perfect for each other. This is a whole new chapter for me. No more sad sec. I want both of our sack. to be fun.

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A U.S. official says the troops will help train Nigeria's military. to fight Islamist militants, but they won't be involved in combat. For weeks, there's been a small team of U.S. forces in Western Africa training soldiers on how to identify potential terrorist targets for strikes. They will be joined by the additional U.S. troops waiting to be deployed. The move comes after recent criticism from President Trump about Nigeria's failure to protect Christians from terrorist attacks. Now to President Trump giving an update on the construction of his new White House ballroom.

In a social media post, the president said the project is progressing ahead of schedule and within budget. He also shared two digital renderings of the ballroom. One shows the structure head on with a prominent columns and grand staircase. The second rendering is from the vantage point of the Treasury Department building on the east side of the White House.

The president's most recent estimate for the ballroom is $400 million. New this morning is setback for drug maker, Moderna and its effort to develop a flu vaccine using MRNA technology. The FDA on Tuesday refused to accept Madonna's application to review it. proposed clinical trial. The agency said the application did not contain an adequate and well-controlled

trial. But Moderna called the FDA's decision stunning because the agency had not previously said that the trial was inadequate. Company leaders have requested a meeting with the FDA to understand how to proceed. The Trump administration has previously criticized MRNA technology, which was used to create vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now to some promising news about HVAC upgrades coming to to Wake County Schools, district officials say improvement projects are now ahead of schedule. The news coming down during yesterday's Facilities Committee meeting at school district headquarters. HVAC problems have plagued the district for years, even forcing schools to send students home because of the heat in some classrooms. But district officials say replacement projects in at least four schools will begin by March 10th.

And they say hundreds of millions of dollars and other work needs to be done soon. And this morning we are tracking the chance for light showers. How much rain we could see. Meteorologist, Gweland Murphy, has the forecast coming up next half hour. And the person of interest detained, then released in the search for Nancy Guthrie, where the investigation stands this morning.