ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - June 17, 2026

Episode Date: June 17, 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. 5 a.m. on your hump day. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Wednesday. It's June 17th. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Bianca Holman in for Anna Rivera this morning. Thanks for waking up with us. We've got some breaking news in Raleigh right now. A motorcycle driver is dead and roads are blocked in Raleigh. Plus another major traffic alert on Western Boulevard. We'll have the update straight ahead. And the route has been revealed everything we know about the Canes Victory Parade happening this Saturday as we ramp up the celebrations for our Stanley Cup champs. And tracking the tropics.

We're following a potential threat in the Gulf Coast, possibly taking aim at millions of people in Texas and Louisiana. Yeah, get some action in the tropics to talk about. So first check of weather and traffic together. Let's not forget that. Please don't. Please don't. I did for a second. Anna's not here. Let's talk about the tropics. Also, the heat returning. Yeah, so the tropics, no name system right now, but at this point, it doesn't matter. Classification doesn't matter. The impacts with the flash flooding are ongoing for the Gulf South. We have potential tropical system 1. Max wins 30 miles per hour. The center just southwest of Port O'Connor, Texas. But all that moisture is still developing. There is a tropical storm warning for parts of the Gulf Coast around Louisiana, a watch around parts of Texas, including the Galveston area. But check out. of the flash flood risk that extends all the way into Georgia this morning. Of course, Alabama,

Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of eastern Texas, too. The system does have a chance to become a tropical storm, Arthur, later today before moving inland. If it does, it'll be up around 40 miles per hour on those max sustained winds, and then it moves inland Thursday, and we'll watch those remnants bringing us shower and sore potential Thursday night and Friday. Today, though, back to the heat highs in the mid-90s with some sunshine by the afternoon. Tomorrow, near record highs with some late day spotty storms and then scattered storms on Friday but I think if you have evening plans you're gonna be okay on Friday here's first alert Doppernett some light rain to the south around Fayetteville parts of

Hoke County extending towards Wayne County as well Samson you're seeing a good downpour to there we're gonna be dry by a nine nine 10 o'clock this morning for area south and then all of us get back to sunshine later today 69 degrees right now at R DU most of us in the 60s and low 70s 59 in Roxborough so warm than yesterday with a little fog and low visibility showing up to the south. So prepare for the 90s. We had a nice break yesterday. That is now over. Heading into tomorrow, dangerous heat feels like temperatures back to the triple digits with spotty storms possible. We track that Gulf Coast disturbance for scattered rain and storms Thursday night and Friday. And then we're on to our

great weekend of celebration for the Cains and Father's Day. I'll have more in that coming up in a few. Weather and traffic together. Bianca, back to you. All right, Gwalen, thank you. Here goes a look at our traffic map right now. You can see that our highways are looking pretty good, still early, so crash count on the highways are sitting at zero right now. We do have some crashes on our surface level streets where Sean Coffey's going to give us an update there. Now here it goes a live look at our DOT camera. This is 40 and Lake Wheeler Road traffic moving smoothly right now at 5 o'clock. I'm over in the Breaking News Center this morning. One person is dead after a motorcycle crash in Raleigh, eyewitness news on the scene overnight on Glenwood Avenue. The motorcycle flipped on its side.

Police working to piece together what happened. Sean Coffey is live on the scene near Oberlin Road with the latest on the crash plus another major traffic alert, this time on Western Boulevard. Sean, walk us through all this. Yeah, Joel, kind of a bit of a mess as you're starting your day here in a couple of different spots in downtown Raleigh. Emergency crews remain on scene here on Glenwood Avenue. The road is shut down in both directions as we approach the busiest part of the day, traffic-wise, here in downtown Raleigh, RPD saying in the last hour or so that a motorcyclist was driving near Carolina Country Club around this bend behind me, left the roadway. No other vehicle was involved, but they are investigating speed as a possible factor

in this fatal crash here this morning. Here's what it looked like as our crews arrived on scene earlier today, as those crews worked to clear this scene and get that motorcycle out of the roadway. damage to that motorcycle in the middle of Glenwood Avenue after this fatal collision took place. And as you just mentioned, Joel, that was not the only issue on a major roadway in Raleigh this morning. Over on Western Boulevard, a large tree came down near the belt line near 440 just after midnight, leading to a headache for power crews and Raleigh Police there. I-Witness News was first on scene as power lines were taken down

and a driver was also caught in that mess under that fallen tree. There's no word yet on the condition of that driver. As for the traffic is impacts here on Glenwood Avenue. RPD says we can expect this road to remain closed until about 630 this morning so as traffic begins to pick up here over the course of the next hour and a half or so we will start to see some pretty significant updates we think you can stay with eyewitness news for the very latest on that back to you. Yeah that scene's going to be there into the sunrise. Sean Coffey's going to cover it for Sean thank you meantime a man is behind bars this morning after a police chase through North Raleigh ended in a crash RPD says the

Suspects SUV slammed into a patrol car on Lake Vista Drive near Lynn Road and Ray Road. It all started with a frantic call of reported kidnapping. A woman said to have been abducted. Eyewitness news now learning the woman is safe and was never taken at all. And despite the crash, no one was hurt. Well, turning now to our Stanley Cup champions, we are gearing up for the Canes victory parade this Saturday at 11 a.m. in downtown Raleigh. You can see that the route has been released and the details are pouring in about this major. your event. Our Tamara Scott following everything we need to know in downtown Raleigh. So Tamara, we need people to, you know, drink their tea, get ready to cheer once again for our home team

as they share during the parade and we see them. Hey, good morning, Bianchi. I know all of our throats are still sore from cheering them on for the last several weeks. But if you've been keeping up, the cup has already been all over Raleigh and it's taking its official trip with the team downtown Raleigh and the parade that starts at 11 o'clock on Saturday. So again, the city of Rale has already seen so much of the cup. It was on Glenwood South. It was in North Hills and Sveshnekov is celebrated at Raising Cains in Hillsborough Street by signing pucks

and handing out meals and fans. But if you haven't seen it yet, you can catch the team and the cup in downtown Raleigh here on Saturday. The parade will start at 11 o'clock on Hillsboro Street and Mary Street. It will travel east, make its way around the Sade Capitol

and head south on Fayetteville Street and end up right here in front of the eyewitness News Center. Now it's the same route as the Raleigh Christmas parade, so it should be familiar to you. The city is also offering free parking on the street and city parking decks. The convention center and arts center parking will be a flat $10 rate. And we did catch up with some fans who are eager to continue the celebrations for their favorite team.

I can't really express how much it means to me and my sister. She's taking me to all my hockey games ever. She's the one who got me involved in the sport in the first place. So it means a whole lot personally. It felt nice to like, I don't know, be rooting for something for so long. And not everyone be on our side, but it finally pay off. And check in with some of your local restaurants. Some of them are giving away freebies on Saturday,

like Dunkin Donuts on Western Boulevard, giving out $5 gift cards. So it's going to be an exciting time for the city of Raleigh. Can't wait to see them hoist that cup here downtown Raleigh. Back to you. No, we can't wait. Tamara, thank you. It is 507 and breaking overnight.

A small plane crashes on a Texas highway, causing chaos, forcing frantic rescues, dramatic video capturing the aftermath. We'll get an update straight ahead. Plus, all the highlights from the world. World Cup, including that hat trick from the one and only Lionel Messi. So many good games yesterday. 508, the time we're track at some light rain this morning.

Those will be out of here. That shower activity by around 10 o'clock or so. And then we get back to the heat today into the 90s. Hotter tomorrow with the storm risk by Friday. More than after the break. All right. Here are your traffic hotspots. Brought to you by the Fred Anderson family of dealerships on Glenwood Avenue.

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Welcome back, 511 on this hump day. We're tracking some quiet weather. around RDU right now mainly cloudy skies for now but later today more sunshine a few showers still tracking across areas south and east of the triangle those will work out of here the next few hours so all of us will get back to dry weather some coastal showers as well high temperatures are headed back into the 90s your lunchtime temps today in the 80s which is where we topped out yesterday so we had a nice break from the humidity and heat that's all over with today for baseball this evening the warbirds first pitch at 705 and what's 90 degrees 80 degrees 80

degrees afterwards with clear skies. Coastal area still looking at a moderate threat of rip currents for today with those few showers, high temperatures in the 80s with more sunshine in the mountains, 70s and 80s for highs. Rain deficit continues to grow for RDU and Fittville now over two inches at the airport. We do have some rain potential in the forecast late Thursday, Friday, but scattered showers and storms. And then we do dry out for the weekend. Tracking what's happening around the Gulf South with the potential tropical system. But even if it does not get classified as a tropical system flash flooding concerns to the south and then there's a severe risk to the north chicago under that bull's eye here all the way to st louis and up towards midiapolis heat advisories to our west florida and oklahoma we could see a heat advisory for tomorrow issued triple digit feels on the way i'll have more on that when i come back joel back to you quailan thank you over in the breaking news center following a small plane crash in southern texas that killed at least one

person the plane went down late last night slamming into a highway near the mexico dramatic video capturing the chaos. Passengers scrambling out of the wreckage, flames taking hold, witnesses racing to pull others into safety. Can you see several bystanders there desperately smashing through that cockpit window? All of this played out in the middle of the highway. It's the third major aviation disaster this week after deadly crashes in California and Missouri. President Trump wrapping up G7 talked with world leaders today. They just announced their, quote, unwavering support for Ukraine. agreeing to boost military aid to Kyiv while increasing economic pressure on Russia.

As for Iran, leaders say they back the peace deal, reached between Washington and Tehran. The leaders also say they are in favor of Lebanon's attempt to disarm Hezbollah and are also calling for more humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza. Time now, 513, North Carolina Republicans facing another day of protests after pushing a bill that could overhaul our elections. We'll get an update coming up next half hour. Plus AI dominating discussions among White County School Board leaders today.

We'll tell you why. Coming up. Hey, y'all. It's Kelly Clarkson with Wayfair. Ever order furniture online and wonder what if? Like, what if it doesn't hold up? That sofa was four days old. You should have ordered from Wayfair. With Wayfair, there's no what if. Just style you love and quality you can trust.

Visit Wayfair.ca. Wayfair, every style, every home. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. Back at 516 happening today, the World Cup rolls on. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal take on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Then it's England and Croatia going toe to toe to. Ghana squares off with Panama. Then later tonight, Uzbekistan and Colombia, closing out the slate. All of it following a wild day of soccer yesterday. Lionel Messi turning back the clock, ripping off a hack trick in Argentina's opener against Algeria. His first three-gold game at a World Cup

since he burst onto the scene 20 years ago. He is now tied for the all-time World Cup scoring record and could own it outright before this tournament's over. Oh, and Messi turns 39 years old next week. Meanwhile, Kiliin Mbapé putting on his show two goals to lift France past Senegal three to one. Norway rolling, Erling Halan netting a brace in a 4-1 win over Iraq. And overnight, Austria topping Jordan, 3 to 1. Authorities in New York City ramping up security for the Knicks parade tomorrow. Anyone attending will have to be screened before settling in to watch the event along the canyon of heroes in Lower Manhattan.

Officials say they'll set up checkpoints along the round. Big sanitation trucks will also be used as blocker vehicles for side streets. The Knicks beat the Spurs over the weekend, winning their first NBA championship since 1973. Meanwhile, as the Keynes faced off against the Golden Knights, the Stanley Cup final in the Stanley Cup final, the presidents of Weight Tech and the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas made a friendly wager. Yeah, they said the loser would have to take a cake to the face. Yeah, well, the president of the College of Southern Nevada made good on the deal. Let's just get this thing over with.

There we go. There we go. Do it again. Dr. Cliff taking the cake to the face like a champ as students and staff cheered him on. One more time. One more time, guys. It barely got on it. I'll bet to vet. Good for them.

But I love the, you know, when the mayors, you know, had their own wager going on. Yeah. And it's always, always better when you win. Oh, yeah. Always better when you win. That's for sure. Meantime, you've got some action than tropics. Yeah, we have what's still potential tropical cyclone one.

Could become a tropical system later today, but only for a short window and then it moves inland. But the impacts are already being felt along the Gulf Coast. They have a few more days of rainfall to deal with, which could lead to some major flash flooding concerns there. That low pressure, just. off the coast of Texas. It is forecast to track to the north and east through the day today. It could become a tropical storm by the afternoon before it moves inland. And that, of course, will then reduce its potential for more development down to 30 miles per hour by late tonight, early tomorrow morning as it tracks over Texas. Arthur is the first name on the list if it does

indeed become a tropical storm. The remnants of that system will then track our way. And that's why we're going to see our chances for showers and storms increasing into Thursday night and Friday. But today, mainly dry, 94 the highs. We're back to the heat and humidity today. Near 100 tomorrow. Triple-digit feels tomorrow. That's why it's a first alert day. Could be an isolated storm later in the day Thursday.

And then Friday we'll see some scattered storms. A few of those could be a little strong, too. Still honing onto the heat Friday, 91 degrees. This morning, your first alert to some light showers from Wayne County back towards Samson and Cumberland County. To Hope, you're pretty much finished with the rainfall for today. These showers will continue tracking east. Remember the front that came through. It's now north of us as a warm front. So that's why we're looking at some more humid conditions and hotter conditions by the afternoon. We're looking at a chance for some rainfall through around 8, 9 o'clock this morning in general. And then we'll dry out. skies will turn clear through the afternoon. Right now mainly cloudy, a live look into downtown Raleigh. Temperatures upper 60s now upper 50s in Roxburgh, 70 degrees in Fayetteville, 69 degrees in Goldsbrough. And those winds are now coming in from the southwest too. So it's a

bit more humid. Jumping to this evening, I can't roll out a spotty shower, but most of us will be dry through the overnight hours of Thursday as well. By Thursday afternoon, we'll start to see that spotty storm chance developing, but it's more so Friday. We'll have a chance for scattered rain and storm starting in the morning. This will continue through the afternoon. I think some of the heaviest rains south and east of the triangle on Friday, and then by the evening drying out, so I think we're looking good for those evening plans. There is an isolated severe threat tomorrow. It's for damaging winds, so we'll have to watch out for that. That would be Thursday and also under Friday too. But this is the problem. The rain totals to the next seven days,

one inch or less. That's it. High temperatures today. Low to mid-90s. We're looking at temps in the 70s tonight. There's your 70 forecast. First alert day for triple-digit fields tomorrow. Scattered storms Friday. So an alert possible day, 91 for June 10th. Great weather for the Canes parade Saturday. Still hot, Father's Day looking great. Also the first day of summer appropriately, 95 degrees. And then Monday and Tuesday, still hot, low to mid-90s. with our next chances for showers and storms. Weather traffic together, back to you. Quaylin, thank you.

Traffic map does not look bad, but we are tracking those two traffic alerts in Raleigh right now. That fatal motorcycle crash on Glenwood Avenue and Oberlin Road. That's shutting lanes down there. And on Western Boulevard, that tree that took out power lines. That might be causing some back-up. Take a look at the DOT camera at this hour. This is I-40 at Airport Boulevard.

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At 525, Roblox is rolling out new age-based account tiers worldwide. Here's ABC Sophie Flee with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, Roblox is launching its age-based accounts globally, a month after rolling it out here in the U.S. There are three tiers, one for younger children, one for tweens, and a third for ages 16 and up. The availability of experiences and access to chats will align with the user's maturity level. Next, Comcast Infinity is offering.

new customers same-day Wi-Fi. It says routers will be delivered in 20 U.S. markets, often within hours of their signing up. Customers will have to install the device and activate service on their own. Finally, if your pup needs a friend, there's an app for that. Dog Date Afternoon lets owners create profiles

for their dogs based on age, size, temperament, and a bunch of other factors. It's about $5 a month to join. Those are TechBites. I'm Sophie Fleigh. Have a great. For 138 years, National Geographic has taken us around the world. And now you can explore the world for yourself at the new museum of exploration in Washington, D.C.

Looks pretty cool. The expanse of 100,000 square foot space is a modern hub for discovery, for an immersive theater where you can walk on water to the iconic pictures, access to items from 15,000 explorers and everything in between. Filmmaker James Cameron walked the yellow carpet for the exclusive. for the exclusive unveiling yesterday to marvel at the immersive exhibits inside. Beautiful thing about exploration is you've got to tell the tale when you come back. So I make documentary films when they come back from these expeditions.

So I still get to be a storyteller. The museum hopes to inspire the next generation to make new discoveries. The doors open to the public June 26. It's like the newest and coolest museum in D.C. right now. I got to add it to my list. I can't wait to check it out. Well, we are celebrating the Carolina hurricanes all week. Ahead of Saturday's parade details on the route and road closure straight ahead.

Plus tracking the tropics, millions facing a possible threat in the Gulf. We'll get your first alert forecast coming up straight ahead.