ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - July 22, 2026

Episode Date: July 22, 2026

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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. All right, here we go. 5 a.m. on your hump day. Good morning, Carolina. We'll home on this Wednesday, July 22nd. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. Breaking news, Raleigh police investigating a shooting near a gas station. At least one person injured will have a live report from the scene straight ahead. Also breaking overnight a possible home invasion and stabbing in Raleigh, leaving several people injured. Police confirming minutes ago, a suspect is in custody will get an update. And severe storms threatening parts of Central North Carolina today. We are bracing for showers and gusty winds later on ahead of more unsettled weather tomorrow.

Yeah, it is time for a first check of weather and traffic together. Meteorologist Kualin Murphy is here. And if I remember correctly from yesterday, because yesterday it was the first alert day too, but you said this one was the more serious risk. Well, the risk is pretty much the same. But it's widespread. That's what that was the word. Yeah.

Let's help him get there. Yesterday was more isolated. We didn't have a lot of rain yesterday. Today we're back to the greater coverage. And the flooding threat is higher today too. So we introduce a flood watch. First alert day between today and tomorrow. Flood Watch for rain totals of two to four inches and isolated five plus inches possible.

And we still have the severe weather threat too. Today it's a level two risk north of Raleigh. We also have a level one risk for the triangle in south mainly. Damaging winds possible today through tonight. Isolated tornado risk as well through tonight. None of that happening this morning, though. We have rather dry start, few little spotty showers to the north. That front is still tied up north into Virginia,

but it starts to slowly edge closer through today. And tonight, it's going to take some time to move through. It doesn't move through until late Friday and the Saturday. So until then, we're stuck with rain and storm potential. This is closer to lunchtime today. We'll see some isolated showers and storms heading towards 3, 4 o'clock. Some of your commutes will be wet on the way home too. If you're south of the triangle, I think you have a lot of dry time through late day,

but more showers and storms picking up later tonight. Here's a live look into downtown Raleigh. Look how warm it is. It's 82 degrees right now. It's warmer than yesterday by almost 10 degrees in a few spots. Temperatures are mainly in the 80s right now. It feels like near 90 degrees in Clinton with humidity, 85 in Fayville, 86, the feel. Chapel Hill. So at 10 o'clock, maybe some spotty showers, 83 degrees, heading into 2 o'clock isolated

storms. We're approaching 90 by then, and 6 o'clock scattered storm chances increase. Into tomorrow, end of Friday, more of the same with the heavy rainfall, flash flooding concerns will continue right through the end of the week. So whatever you do to stay safe, make sure you're activating that plan through the end of the week as well. Here is Bertha. Doesn't look too healthy when you look at the rainfall right now with that system, there's a lot of shear with it, but it does have strong winds. Max wins 50 miles per hour, Gus near 65 on its way to Mike likely making its first landfall around southeast Louisiana potentially into tonight and tomorrow. We'll talk more about this system because it's headed towards Texas that's coming up right now.

Anna, back to you. Okay, Buelan, so overall roads do look really good. You can see that our crash count is sitting at zero. We're also not seeing any congestion. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras. This is for. 440 and Sunnybrook Road. Traffic still really light. We are over in the breaking news center now tracking a shooting in southeast Raleigh. It happened just a few hours ago near the Speedway gas station

on Jones Sausage Road. Breaking News 1 on the scene, getting capturing this video of police combing that area for clues. Bianca Holman live on the scene now. Bianca, what can you tell us? Hey, good morning Joe. So still at this hour, it is still very active yellow tape still up.

Those investigators still looking through the area behind me with flashlights. And so just to let you know where we are, we're right off of Jones, right on Jones Sausage Road between 40 and Auburn Church Road across from that major sheets gas station. But this is the parking lot of the Speedway gas station, the Smithfield chicken and barbecue spot right next to the bow jangles. And you can see, again, very active. Details are limited at this hour. Still, RPD has confirmed to eyewitness news that a man was shot just after 3 a.m. We're told the man has non-life threatening injuries. And our camera again catching officers at the gas station looking at a couple of cars looking in the parking

lot trying to comb for evidence and piece together what happened out here who was the shooter who was the victim and all those details are still pretty foggy right now but as we learn more we will keep you updated throughout the morning back to you okay we'll keep an eye on that bianca thank you and also breaking this morning raleigh police investigating a possible home invasion eyewitness news on the scene at this apartment complex on litchford forest lane off of oldwig forest road at least one person was injured amid reports of a potential stabbing. Police confirming a suspect is in custody. Stay with us throughout the morning for all of the latest details.

Happening today, a major protest against ICE and anti-immigration policies in North Carolina. Activists are rallying at the General Assembly demanding ICE agents leave the state. They say they'll also hold a vigil commemorating more than 60 immigrants. They claim have died in ICE custody since 2025. Today's event kicks off at 11 o'clock. In Durham, state lawmakers want to hear from you. about any major issues. They are holding a town hall at the government commissioners' chambers on East Main Street. Lawmakers will give updates from the General Assembly, answer your

questions, and address the state budget and legislative wins for Durham. Tonight's town hall starts at six. A bombshell audit revealing extravagant spending in carry. Now the focus of a major meeting happening tomorrow. Town leaders will review an independent investigation into the issue. They met last night and agreed to create a plan, boosting checks and balances. This comes after the state auditor exposed lavish spending on fancy meals, hotels, and rayban sunglasses for all council members, all at the expense of taxpayers. It's not acceptable for me to say, hey, I didn't participate, so I have no culpability. My failure in this situation has been not being loud enough and not being, I think, proactive enough to ask enough questions. state auditor Dave Bullock said also investigating spending issues in Zebulin and billing issues in Rocky Mount.

506 is the time in Wake County Public Schools scrambling to fix several crumbling school buildings before students return to class. Structural issues marking major concerns. We'll get an update from the superintendent coming up next half hour. Plus, we're awaiting an autopsy report on Nolan Wells expected today. The Mississippi case making national headlines as the family demands answers. Good morning, Quay. Morning, just a few spotty showers. We're tracking more storm potential later with a flood watch going up for the area today and tomorrow.

More and how much rain we could see in my full forecast. And right now the roads do look good. Crash count still sitting at zero. Now here are your traffic hotspots brought to by the Fred Anderson family of dealerships on Glenwood Avenue. Fred Anderson Toyota, Fred Anderson Kia, Fred Anderson Nissan, all home of the Fred Anderson family plan, including lifetime oil changes, lifetime car washes on all new Toyotas, Kia's Nissan's and hundreds of used cars. Fred Anderson family plan saves your family thousands while giving you lasting value with every mile you drive.

Thinking of selling or trading your current vehicle, Fred Anderson wants to pay you more even if you don't buy from us. Get the family plan at Fred Anderson Toyota, Fred Anderson Kia, and Fred Anderson Nissan all on Glenwood Avenue. Welcome aboard via rail. Please sit and enjoy. Please sit and stretch. Steep. Flip. Or that. and enjoy via rail love the way 510 welcome back on this first alert day we have a risk for some flash flooding today and also a risk for strong and severe storms a flood threat is a little bit higher so with that a flood watch has been issued we will see some spotty rain maybe stray storms through early afternoon but I really think the coverage picks up this evening and especially overnight into early Thursday you're going to encounter some really warm conditions outside early on it's already breezy around RDS still not really letting up on those winds since yesterday. Mainly cloudy skies, few little sprinkles, isolated showers to the north. Now those of you in the northern counties today, you're going to have more showers and storms beginning a bit sooner. Your temperatures as a result close to 80 for the high today. In the meantime, in the triangle on the sandhills, heating up to the mid-80s to low 90s by lunchtime with high temperatures around 90 to 95 degrees this afternoon. Triple digit feels possible around the sand hills too. And we're going to have some gusty winds throughout the day today in the 20s miles per hour through the afternoon. At the coast, a moderate to high threat of rip currents up and down the coast with more storms possible today. Highs mid to upper 80s, 70s and 80s in the mountains. Showers and storms too were all being impacted by the same frontal boundary, which is just off to our west and north.

There's Bertha down around the Gulf South more rain and storms out to the west around the Rockies. More heat impacting the deep south with flooding concerns extending into the Tennessee Valley and also back west of the Rockies as well. Hi today in Atlanta, 88 degrees, 86 in New York City, Dallas up to 104, Orlando 94, and Chicago 91 this afternoon. Los Angeles, 85, Salt Lake City, 88 degrees. Our rainfall surplus continues to build at RDU, 3.5 inches so far for the month while Fayetteville still suffers with a deficit. But I think we have potential to make that up here in the next 24 to 36 hours. Rain chance is pretty decent through Saturday, dropping off early next week. Full forecast coming up. Joel, back to you.

then, Quaylan, thank you. Five people are behind bars this morning in Fayetteville after a major drug and gun bust. Police working with the DEA and at a home, storming a home on Grand Prix Drive yesterday. They had a search warrant. They seized more than three and a half pounds of cocaine, nine grams of fentanyl, nearly 100 grams of marijuana. Also seized nine guns and more than $3,000 in cash. The five people arrested range in age from 20 to 26. They are now facing a long list of charges. A popular roller coaster at Carrowins in Charlotte is reopening after undergoing major foundation repairs. Official shut down Fury 325 after discovering an issue with the support column. This ride faced similar support beam issues in 2023, forcing it to close for more than a month. Kerowind says state engineers wrapped up their investigation approving the latest safety inspection. It is 512 and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may have acted as a foreign agent. Top Democrats digging into the issue this morning will get new details on the case coming up. And Mamdani versus Netanyahu.

The New York City Mayor slamming Israel's prime minister calling him a war criminal demanding U.S. officials arrest him. Stay with us for all the latest. Congress racing to avert a possible government shutdown this coming month. The Senate will take up a massive spending bill after House lawmakers narrowly passed the measure yesterday. It would fund the government through December 4th and count as a major political boost for Republicans ahead of the November mid-term. terms. The Senate has until September 30th to pass the bill. Also on Capitol Hill, the top House Democrat now investigating whether Jeffrey Epstein acted as a foreign agent. Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin alleges the convicted sex offender lobbied for certain governments and officials from Kuwait,

Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Israel. He also believes Epstein tried to leverage his relationship with President Trump during certain interactions. Raskin is demanding the Trump administration release more records related to Epstein's alleged ties to 19. countries. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal while demanding the U.S. arrest the world leader. Mandami says despite his campaign promise to arrest Netanyahu if he traveled to Manhattan, an arrest is not possible. He says his administration found it does not have the independent legal authority to enforce an arrest warrant from the international criminal court, but he's not backing down on his strong opposition to the Israeli leader.

Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large. While we cannot end the genocide on our own, we can decide whether our silence will become another weapon, and we can examine every tool we have to defend the humanity and dignity of all people. That is my commitment to you. Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York City when the UN General Assembly convenes in September. Bracing for Bertha, the tropical storm threatening parts of the Gulf Coast, with strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous storm surge. It's expected to make landfall in Louisiana later today.

Warnings and watches are underway from Florida's panhandle to Alabama and Mississippi all the way to New Orleans. Everybody's nervous. We just went through Arthur. Arthur wasn't supposed to be a whole lot. We ended up with six tornadoes. We ended up with some homes that are flooded. And so people are just gunshot, right? You don't know. One thing gets predicted and then nothing happened. Bertha is expected to weekend later tonight as it heads west toward Texas. I'm afraid to say anything. I mean, he forgot that they've already dealt with Arthur. It slipped your mind.

I did not forget. But Bertha is the B storm. B is the second letter in the alphabet. That's right. That's the second storm that we have had to deal with. Good job. Yeah, that's the term is going to make landfall over Louisiana later today or tonight. Some of the moisture from Bertha will indirectly impact us as our cold front moves in from the north.

There's Bertha Tropical Storm. This is the 5 o'clock advisory from the hurricane center, 50 miles per hour, gusts to 60. So no change here in the wind status. It's moving northwest at 5 miles per hour. So here's the track. It shows landfall potentially around the southeast Louisiana coast, 45 miles per hour later today. It'll continue tracking along central Louisiana and then into western Louisiana by Thursday afternoon. It's right around Texas as a depression potentially, and then it moves inland by Friday and still producing some rainfall around parts of eastern Texas. But our cold front moving in from the north will pick up on some of this moisture from Bertha. So that will enhance our rainfall in the days ahead. Scattered showers and storms through Friday with a severe weather threat for the area, including a flood risk.

So that's why we have pretty much first alert days into the end of the week. Cooler end to the week, still unsettled. Dryer start to next week. We will get back to the 90s. This is new. First alert to a flood watch issued today through Thursday, some spots under the watch until early Friday morning for rain totals of 2 to 4 inches, isolated 5 to 6 plus inches of rain possible during this time frame. We also have an isolated severe weather threat. It's a level 2 north of Raleigh, level 1 for areas to the south.

This risk not only includes a damaging wind threat, but there is a low end isolated tornado risk as well for the area. But in general, flash flooding and winds are our main concern here in the next 24. 36 hours. Things are pretty quiet for us right now. Lots of clouds. A few little sprinkles showing up north of the triangle. A light look down tower. It's so warm. It's warm everywhere. Low to mid 80s out the door with breezy to gusty conditions as well. We're going to have those gusty conditions through the afternoon. I can't rule out a few showers late morning, but most of us still dry by noon today, mainly cloudy. 86 degrees. Isolate at soorms this afternoon as we approach 90 degrees. And then overnight, that's where the storm chances will increase. So some of you may have some restless sleeping tonight into early tomorrow morning. We start the day Thursday with wet conditions stormy heavy downpours all the way through the afternoon hours and then things settled down by tomorrow evening. So there once again is the front that approaches through the end of the week. We'll have some rain and storms off and on throughout the day, but it's really late tonight and through the daytime hours of Thursday that the rain will be heaviest for us.

Five o'clock tomorrow still some lingering showers and storms. We're not done because the front on Friday is still nearby. So that'll kick up rain and storms through the daytime hours of Friday before we start to see some breaks and then your rain chances drop off for your weekend Sunday into early next week. High temperatures today in the 90s around the triangle and south upper 70s around 80 to the north tonight will have thunderstorms with that flood risk overnight six seasons 70s there's your first alert seven day forecast power by acuether there's one bright spot to the rain and storms tomorrow that's going to be the drop in temperatures still very muggy though 76 the high on Thursday at first

to their day. Rounds of showers Friday's still near 80. Back to the 90s early next week. Weather and traffic together. Anna, back to you. Quailan overall picture looking good to start your morning commute. We're not seeing any crashes at this point showing up on the map. I do have reports though of something going on at 440 westbound and 6 Forks Road. Let's take a live look. It's hard to see what exactly is happening. We are getting reports of a crash that does involve injuries. Unfortunately, this camera, not the best. We'll keep an eye on that though throughout the morning. 521 in France banning social media. for kids under 15.

We'll have details on this landmark move coming up after the break. 524, and we turn to the latest outbreak sparking concern. Legionnaires disease has now claimed the life of another person in New York. U.S. measles cases just hit a 35-year record high, and more people are being sickened by the parasitic infection that triggered a major lettuce recall. Here's ABC's Linea Louise. The CDC has now confirmed more than 4,100 cases of cyclosporiasis, making 2026 the worst year for the parasitic infection on record.

We do have the outbreak under control. Yesterday, Health Secretary RFK Jr. said the outbreak, which has hospitalized more than 300 people since May, is under control. We have done extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics, and we've identified the source of the outbreak. Kennedy pushed back on growing criticism of the CDC ending its mandatory report, of psychosporiasis cases last year in one of its surveillance programs. We've had no cuts in our surveillance program.

All the states will tell you that we're still doing forensics. We're still doing surveillance in all the states. Another nationwide health concern? A measles outbreak. The United States has had more reported measles cases in the last 18 months than in the previous 25 years combined. Infections already surpassing the total for the entirety of the entire of. last year, which was the highest since 1991, health experts linking it to a decline in vaccinations

in recent years. Linal Moyes, ABC News, New York. France is now the first European country to ban social media for children under 15. Lawmakers officially adopted the measure yesterday. French president Emmanuel Macron has pushed for the move saying he wants to, he wants the measure in place ahead of the new school year. The law forbids kids under 15 from creating social media accounts start starting September 1st. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok will have several months to close their current children's accounts. Who wants to be a millionaire is set to air its fifth season on ABC. A new group of celebrities from all different aspects of the entertainment world are all trying to win $1 million for their favorite charity. Host Jimmy Kimmel says it's a great, it's great when they win money, but there's even more to it.

I think what's even more meaningful is hearing the people talk about the charities because in many cases it's a very person. personal connection. So you get to learn a little bit about what these people that you know care about. Jimmy knows what it's like to be in the hot seat. He was a contestant with Regis Philbin in 2001. The season premiere of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire airs tonight at 8 o'clock right here on ABC 11. We'll be right back.