ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - July 28, 2026

Episode Date: July 28, 2026

Eyewitness News at 5am - July 28, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. The news is on. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Tuesday. It's July 28th. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. New this morning, President Trump weighing in on Iran peace talks as he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. We'll have an update on the war straight ahead. And families across the triangle and entire country facing higher prices on everything from gas to groceries. Now there's a brand new food bank opening up in Durham looking to help people in need. We'll get a live report.

And it's the first alert day. Possible severe storms threatening our area this afternoon. We're keeping a close eye on potential damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and hail. Yeah, time for a first check of weather and traffic together. There is meteorologist Kualin Murphy. You talked about the first alert day. It's a level two severe risk, but clouds could pay an important factor. Yeah, clouds could help to limit our instability today.

So we'll see how that pans out this morning. We are seeing clouds working in from the north and west already. That being said, we still have a chance for some storms to turn severe. I'm thinking the time frame mainly for that 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today. So this won't run into your overnight hours. Damaging wind, tornado risk, and also a chance for some hail. Scattered coverage today with those threats developing through the afternoon. So when you think about the priority threat, the biggest threat will be the wind.

We do have a slightly elevated tornado risk, too, with some spin-ups possible, and then that hill potential, mainly along U.S. 1 back to the west. This is what we're tracking right now. The storms around the Ohio Valley, they're punching through, starting to help some clouds develop our way. So that could, again, help limit our instability. But we'll have a cold front pushing through, too, so that could help get things going a little bit later today. But your morning hours are still on the quiet side. I do have storm chances going up into lunchtime north and then continuing to build throughout the day today. So walk you into the lunchtime hour.

We'll see some scattered showers, I think, from the triangle points to the north as we head towards two, three o'clock. That's where some of those storms can turn a bit strong, maybe severe through late day. Northeastern areas, there's a chance you stay really try it and dry for today by 9 o'clock tonight, storm action settling to the south. Live look from North Hills. We have some humid conditions warm again with temperatures close to average, low 70s in the triangle and down. into the sand hill 60s north and west another round of fog this morning to as expected so visibility could be bit low through around 9 o'clock timing out your temperatures 10 o'clock 81 degrees we're 86 by noon that's where i have that rain chance at 20 percent firing a bit higher towards

late afternoon and evening highs today will be in the low to mid 90s some spots will feel like the triple digits later this afternoon your first alert to some lower humidity tomorrow and a really nice finish to our week before the storm chances go up again for your weekend more on that coming up few. Our first check of weather and traffic together, Anna, back to you. Quaila, nice and quiet on the roads right now. Our crash count sitting at zero. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras. Unfortunately, this is frozen, but this is 40 and South Saunders. You can see, though, there aren't many cars on the road. It is 503 and in hours, President Trump sits down for high-stakes talks on the Iran war. He meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, as negotiators say peace talks are moving forward.

The president weighed in last night. wiped out. The straight is in very good shape. And we're talking right now. You know, they wanted to talk. Their people said, please don't drop, don't shoot last night, the night before, two nights. Don't do it. You know, we're having good talks. So we'll see what happened. There's been no strikes from either side in three days, but the war rolls into a six month far past the few weeks the White House once predicted. New details on the deadly Seattle shooting from over the weekend. Authorities believe it may have been gang related. Officials are focusing their investigation on three suspects.

One of those identified as a 19-year-old was killed during the violence. A 15-year-old has been charged with the third suspect on the run. It happened during a crowded food festival near Seattle's Space Needle on Sunday evening. Two other people were killed. Several others, including a toddler, were injured. Happening today right here at home, a brand-new food bank opening its doors in Durham. A lifeline for families across the triangle is the cost of everything from groceries to gas. keeps climbing. Bianca Holman live at the brand new center in North Durham. Bianca, good morning.

Hey, good morning, Joel. So here in North Carolina, we face one of the worst hunger crisis in a generation and a million dollar investment from Food Line is going to help with food insecurity in the area. So here are the facts. Since last July, about four million Americans were dropped from the federal government food assistant program known as SNAP. And according to a new analysis from a nonpartisan group, that includes around 1 million children in 19. states. Now this new facility on Hamilton Road is 64,000 square feet and it's going to be a hub for food sourcing, distribution, and volunteer engagement. You know, our communities are facing the worst hunger crisis that we've seen in at least a generation, if not more. When you take a look at the six-county region that our Durham branch serves, that's 97,000 people that don't know where their next meal is coming from.

If you just put that in context, that's one out of every six neighbors that you and I run into at the grocery store or out pumping gas. And so this new facility on Hamlin, the grand opening is later on this afternoon and we'll have a continuing coverage in the evening. Back to you. Okay, Bianca, thank you. And downtown Raleigh booming with a major growth, according to a new report. Everything from housing to entertainment showing signs of progress, mainly thanks to a recent boost from the Carolina hurricanes. Sean Coffey is live in downtown Raleigh with all of the highlights. Sean, what can he tell us? Yeah, good morning, Anna. Well, this latest report shows a 5% spike in foot traffic downtown. during that playoff run on the game specifically over quarter two, the same time last year, I should say, which the Downtown Raleigh Alliance was largely fueled by the Hurricanes playoff run,

not only the parade which obviously drew nearly 200,000 people downtown, but just increased traffic on footdays. In total, the DRA says they saw a 40% boost to visitors downtown every night the Keynes had a final game, which was largely driven by watch parties in places like Smokey Hollow and more square, as well as increased visits to downtown bars. That amounted to tens of thousands more people walking through the downtown area on those nights. In general, just those Stanley Cup finals nights, so those six nights, we had 80,000 more people coming to downtown than we normally would have on those six nights. So a great boost for us. And again, we weren't even where the arena was.

There were other positive aspects of this report as well. It showed that there was a net gain in storefront businesses over the same time last year. this full report will be released at the state of downtown next month. We'll have coverage on that when it is released. Back to you. Encouraging numbers. We'll get more from you soon. Sean, thank you. 507 is the time. We are standing by for a breaking news update on that missing mom from Carrie Elizabeth Waddell

disappeared during a Caribbean vacation last week, and now police are weighing in on the investigation later this morning. Plus do details on the death of Nolan Wells in Mississippi. Highlights from a new report straight ahead. Good morning, Gwalen. Hey, good morning. Anna, it's a first alert day between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. A risk for severe. This is a level two for today. Right now, dry, quiet weather. And that's how your morning starts too. But by the afternoon, things turn up. Highs today in the 90s changes tomorrow in my forecast. Good news for the morning commute that the rain is holding off. So we won't have any issues as far as that goes. Also, no crashes at this point. Now let's take a look at those traffic hotspots brought to by the Fred Anderson family of dealerships on Gladwood Avenue. Fred Anderson Toyota. Fred Anderson, Nissan, Fred Anderson, Nissan. All home of the Fred Anderson. family plan, including lifetime oil changes, lifetime car washes on all new Toyota's Kia's Nisons and hundreds of used cars. The 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. I went and got a beard. Uh, five, ten minutes a time. It's a first to live. day 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today risk for severe storms. That could turn severe later on. We'll be dry heading up to that. Temperatures climbing to the mid-80s north. You'll start to see some rain and storms a bit sooner. So your temperatures will stay down. Low to mid-90s around Raleigh and the sandhills through noon today. And the triangle will have the rain chances at around 20 percent. Then they'll start to slowly build by the afternoon and evening through the evening hours. That chance for scattered storms. We'll continue before wrapping up before midnight tonight. This morning we're starting to see some clouds working in mainly north and west of Here's a live look from North Hills. All dry rainfall. So far this month has been fantastic.

Over 11 inches now at RDU, including that 1.17 inches. We quickly picked up yesterday morning with storms. Veer bill now over five inches for the month, too. So running a surplus across the board tomorrow, partly cloudy behind the front. Less humid highs below average in the upper 80s. Still the upper 80s on Thursday. Check out this, a beautiful finish to your week. Friday, sun and clouds.

Upper 80s for highs at the coast today. A low to moderate threat of rip currents, pretty dry highs mid to upper 80s. And the mountains will have a chance for a few showers and storms developing 70s, north, 80s for areas to the south. Across the country, tracking this disturbance here through the Great Lakes and also east of the Rockies and the bigger threat for severe today in general from New York City through the nation's capital all the way down to Atlanta, Georgia. And there's a lot of heat to deal with two from Dallas to St. Louis all the way to Atlanta,

to Atlanta, 93 this afternoon. Full seven day coming up. See you soon. Quaylan, new developments this morning in the Nolan Wells case. ABC News reporting. Investigators say the 18-year-old disappeared after spending July 4th, drinking heavily with friends on Horn Island off Mississippi's coast. According to witnesses, an autopsy, including toxicology results are still pending. A separate document obtained by ABC News backs up with friends told investigators that when the group left Horn Island, Nolan chose to stay behind with the girl. His cause of death remains unknown. Former FBI director James Comey urging a judge to toss an indictment against him in eastern North Carolina. A grand jury charged him for allegedly threatening President Trump's life after he posted a picture of shells grouped to form the numbers 86-47. The term 86 is widely understood to be a restaurant term, meaning to be out of something. And Trump is the 47th president. Comey's attorneys filed a motion yesterday seeking to throw out the case.

They argue the indictment targets free speech. It is 513 and UNC football may be heading into next season without one of its most senior leaders. New details from ESPN on Mike Lombardi. Why he is on administrative leave right now. That's coming up next. Plus the I-Team troubleshooter getting results for a Sanford woman after a years-long battle, an update on the investigation after the break. And a reminder, you can find eyewitness news live on ABC 11, Disney Plus, and everywhere you stream.

516. In your voice, your vote. Roy Cooper hitting the camera. campaign trail today, taking his make stuff cost less tour to Wilson this afternoon. Cooper's Senate campaign team says he'll focus on lowering costs for North Carolina families. Cooper is running for U.S. Senate against Republican candidate Michael Watley in a race considered one of the most consequential battlegrounds showdowns in the entire country. Critics slamming President Trump accusing him of targeting voting rights ahead of the midterms. He's asking the Supreme Court to approve his executive

order that would restrict mail in voting. A federal judge blocked the move. after 23 states, including North Carolina, sued the administration. An appeals court upheld that decision over the weekend, but now the president wants the nation's high court to decide. He claims without evidence that mail-in voting leads to voter fraud. And the I-team troubleshooter stepping in for a speech therapist stuck in a years-long battle. That's right, a years-long fight with an insurance giant overpayment for her work. Janine Morton spent years helping children with speech delays and special needs at her Sanford business. TheraPlay NC. Since 2024, she's been battling Humana military over billing for her services.

The insurance company demanded she resubmit claims from 2020 during COVID because the work was done virtually. Janine says she did everything they asked, but still couldn't get answers. And then Diane Wilson stepped in. She contacted Humana and suddenly things turned around. She reached out to me the very next day and acknowledged that we have your claims. Thank you, Diane, for your efforts and your work. Janine says she's relieved is finally all resolved, but the ordeal took such a toll on her and her practice that she made the hard call to close her TheraPlay NC for good.

UNC football manager Mike Lombardi is now on paid administrative leave. The university has not given a reason for the abrupt move. Officials released a statement saying they're prohibited from discussing the case, but ESPN reports this all stems from an HR complaint. filed by a former UNC front office worker. It's an internal investigation, according to my colleague Pete Thamel. It revolves around an HR dispute

for someone who was let go by Michael Lombardi, where there's an internal investigation that's ongoing and that's where the suspension comes from. Lombardi has spent the past year and a half, helping build Carolina's roster as one of Bill Belichick's closest advisors. The Tar Heels begin their new season against TCU in Ireland. on August 29th. All right.

We will talk about the weather now. It's first alert day as far as the heat goes. This could be the hottest day of the week. And as far as storm chances go, this could be the highest chances. This will be the highest chance this week. Once we get past today, lovely finish tomorrow through Friday.

So yeah, lots to enjoy once we get past today. Here's our radar on satellite composite. You can see those storms around Ohio and to West Virginia. Those storms will bring some clouds our way this morning, which could help to limit our instability at times today. We still have a front on the way too. So we'll see how those behave throughout the morning hours.

And that will determine where we land this afternoon. For the threat risk today, 2 p.m. The 8 p.m. is your time frame generally. And we get back to a typical summertime pattern. Dryer weather tomorrow. High is near 90, but humidity values lower. And then for your weekend, we're watching some rain and storm potential, primarily Saturday night, but more so on Sunday.

So we'll have a dry start to the weekend at least. So for today, level 2 of 5 risk for severe. Main threat will be damaging winds. We do have an isolated tornado. risk large hail and flash flooding risk also low but not zero at this point I think with some of those downpours those could become troublesome later today especially during those late afternoon evening commutes but you'll have dry weather for the most part through the morning hours and then noon today introducing some showers especially north of the triangle as we head into late day storm chances

go up highs today upper 80s and low 90s so here are the clouds starting to roll in already mainly north and west and those clouds will continue to build in throughout the day so this is 10 o'clock this morning I expect to see more cloud cover at this time shower chances developing by noon maybe a stray storm but the storm action I think picks up towards two three o'clock today and some of those storms could be strung to severe this is five o'clock prime time for those late day commutes now those of you north and east of the triangle there's a chance that you stay really fairly dry throughout the afternoon hours aside from a few showers but storm chances will continue to ramp up to the south as those storms

drive from northwest to southeast throughout the day and then by midnight we'll all be dry tomorrow the front will have passed we get back to sunshine highs will be in the upper 80s close to 90 degrees tomorrow low humidity on Thursday with lots of sunshine still in the upper 80s a really nice finish overall to your week we're dry through Friday Saturday's rain chance only 20% it goes up a little bit higher into Saturday night and then Sunday and Monday we'll have some scattered storms around with the next system about one inch or less on totals through the next seven days of course with higher stronger storms we could see some higher amounts tracking a live live look into downtown with those clear conditions for now. Clouds building in from the northwest. 60s and 70s out the door right now. High temperatures today. Mid 80s north where you'll get in the rain action a bit sooner so that will limit your heating. Low 90s for the most part in the triangle and areas to the south. 60s overnight into tomorrow morning. In the tropics, all good here in the Atlantic Bayes and nice and quiet for the next seven days. No development expected. Here's your first alert 7A forecast powered by acuweather. Low 90s today with storm threat going up.

first alert day 70s tonight. Rest of the week highs in the upper 80s, lows in the 60s through Saturday morning, back to 90s Saturday and Sunday, Monday with the storm chances going up, high temperatures only in the 80s. Weathering traffic together. Back to you. Quailin, a quiet start for your Tuesday morning commute. No crashes you need to worry about. Also, no congestion at this point. Let's take a live look outside at the DOT cameras. This is 40 in Harrison Avenue. We've seen that traffic start to fill in, but so far everyone able to go to that posted speed limit. We'll be right back after the break. 525 and Amazon taking a major step toward bringing satellite service directly to smartphones with plans to launch up to 5,000 new satellites. Here's ABC's Hannah-Botton with this

morning's TechBites. In today's Tech Fights, Amazon is looking to launch a global satellite phone network in 2008. The company is now applying to the FCC to launch more than 5,100 satellites. They would provide a new network for areas that are out of range of traditional cell towers. Elon Musk has officially launched XMoney, a financial service platform within his social media network. It's currently only available to the premium and premium plus subscribers on X. It offers deposit accounts, peer payments, and a debit card all within the app. Nike is unveiling its new hyperslides. They are designed to heat and vibrate your feet to help you recover after working out.

A post-workout session in these shoes is supposed to last roughly 10 or so minutes. available in the fall and the price tag is about $250. Those are your tech bites. I'm Hannah Bata. Of a great day. We are following one of the largest expansions in UNC Chapel Hills history. The university is preparing for its long-awaited project called Carolina North. The 230-acre site at the former Horace Williams Airport has been in the works for nearly two decades. Last night, the stakeholder advisory committee made their first site visit near the main campus. Phase one of the project includes places to learn, live,

and work with a big focus on housing affordability. The reality is a lot of people who live in Chapel Hill work at the university, and many of those people are being priced out of housing affordability close to where they work. So there's no real demarcation in my mind between what the university needs and what the community needs when we talk about housing affordability. The future of the Dean Dome is also part of the conversation with possible options including renovation, rebuilding or relocation. Groundbreaking for phase one is expected next summer. 527 now and if you're planning to drive into downtown Raleigh over the weekend, be aware of

major changes on the way. The latest on the higher parking rates going into effect on Saturday. Plus we are bracing for the possibility of some severe weather today. Your first alert forecast straight ahead.